Issue - meetings

(A report by Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services)

(A report by Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services)

The Committee received a report introduced by the Housing Standards Team Leader, supported by the Group Manager – Safer Communities, and the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services. The Portfolio Holder for Housing was also in attendance.

Members were reminded that the Council was responsible for ensuring robust policies were in place for dealing with Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), Empty Homes, and Housing Standards Enforcement matters. The three draft policies had been fully reviewed and updated to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including the Housing Act 2004, and to promote consistency across the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The Officer outlined:

·         The draft Empty Homes Policy, HMO Licensing Policy, and Housing Standards Enforcement Policy, attached as Appendices 1 (Draft Empty Homes Policy), 2 (Draft HMO Licensing Policy) and 3 (Draft Housing Standards Enforcement Policy) within the report, set out clear processes for officers and stakeholders, supporting safeguarding and health and wellbeing responsibilities.

·         Alignment of fees and charges would provide a transparent and proportionate approach to enforcement and licensing across the Partnership.

·         The policies aimed to improve housing standards, bring empty properties back into use, and ensure enforcement practices were fair, open, and legally compliant.

·         Civil penalties of up to £30,000 per offence could be issued as an alternative to prosecution, ensuring flexibility and proportionality in enforcement.

·         The review also considered climate and energy efficiency implications, recognising that bringing empty homes back into use and improving housing standards could reduce environmental impact.

Members welcomed the clarity and alignment of the policies but raised concerns about enforcement challenges, particularly regarding empty homes and HMOs. Key points included:

·         Consistency Across Councils: Members supported the move to a single set of policies across the Partnership to ensure fairness and clarity for residents and landlords.

·         Empty Homes – Complexity and Impact: The complexity of addressing long-term empty properties and the need for proactive engagement with owners was highlighted. Members noted the impact of empty homes on housing supply and supported enforcement measures where properties cause environmental or social harm.

·         Council Tax Surcharges: Officers confirmed that Council Tax surcharges applied to long-term empty properties, escalating up to 400% of the standard rate after extended periods. Owners were legally required to notify the Council Tax team when a property became vacant; failure to do so may lead to enforcement action.

·         Monitoring Processes: Members requested sight of the Council Tax team’s processes for monitoring empty properties and applying surcharges, noting that a briefing would assist understanding of current practice.

·         HMO Licensing and Standards: Members queried the fee structure and whether it reflected property size and layout. Officers confirmed that fees had been revised to ensure proportionality and transparency, with calculations based on dwelling size and complexity. Waste management and amenity standards in HMOs were discussed, with calls for stronger cross-departmental working and periodic inspections.

·         Unlicensed HMOs: The importance of collaboration with residents and partners to identify unlicensed or poorly managed HMOs was stressed.

·         Future Legislation: Members noted the potential implications of the forthcoming Renters Rights Act,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66