Agenda item

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

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor John Baxter, presented a report by the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services, supported by the Assistant Director – Communities and Housing Services and the Safer Communities Service Manager who were in attendance, which sought approval of a suite of Housing Standards Policies. The report explained that the policies had been developed to provide a consistent and robust framework for regulating housing standards across the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and to ensure alignment with current legislation, guidance and best practice.

Members were advised that the report covered three key policy documents: the Empty Homes Policy, the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing Policy, and the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy. Together, these policies were intended to support improved housing conditions, bring long?term empty properties back into use, strengthen regulation of HMOs, and provide a clear, proportionate and transparent approach to enforcement activity.

The report outlined that the policies had been developed collaboratively across the Partnership, reflecting the move towards a more consistent approach to housing standards, enforcement thresholds, fees and penalties. Members were advised that the policies would support early intervention and engagement where possible, while also providing a clear escalation framework where compliance was not achieved.

Members welcomed the suite of Housing Standards Policies and acknowledged the significant amount of work undertaken by the Portfolio Holder and officers to bring forward comprehensive and well?structured documents. Members also noted the Portfolio Holder’s thanks to his counterpart Portfolio Holders at South Holland District Council and East Lindsey District Council for their collaborative work and support in developing the policies across the Partnership.

The importance of a consistent approach across the Partnership was recognised, particularly in relation to enforcement standards, fee structures and decision?making processes. Members noted the benefits of the Empty Homes Policy in supporting the return of long?term vacant properties to use, helping to address housing pressures while reducing the negative impacts of empty homes on local communities.

The discussion also highlighted the role of the HMO Licensing Policy in improving housing standards, protecting tenants and supporting responsible landlords through clear expectations and consistent regulation. Members welcomed the clarity provided around inspection regimes and enforcement measures.

Members supported the Housing Standards Enforcement Policy, noting that a clear and proportionate enforcement framework would provide transparency and consistency, while ensuring that serious or persistent non?compliance could be addressed effectively. The emphasis on early advice and support, alongside firm enforcement where required, was welcomed.

Overall, Members agreed that the policies provided a strong and balanced framework to support improved housing standards, protect residents and strengthen the Council’s regulatory role across the Partnership.

The recommendation was moved by Councillor John Baxter and seconded by Councillor Sarah Sharpe.

Resolved:

That the draft Empty Homes Policy at Appendix 1 within the report, the draft HMO Policy at Appendix 2 within the report, and the draft Housing Standards Enforcement Policy at Appendix 3 within the report be approved.