Decision - Private Sector Housing Update

An update on matters relating to Private Sector Sector Housing

Resolved: 2.1 That Committee notes the updates made to the Council's website, providing advice to private renters on what to do if they feel discriminated against, and encouraging landlords to support the Council's commitment to prevent homelessness. 2.2 That Committee agrees that the council website is updated, in line with the Labour Group motion passed at Housing Committee on 17 November 2021, to reflect the agreed zero-tolerance policy on rogue landlords, including a link to the national rogue landlord database. 2.3 That Committee notes the information made available on minimum standardsby the Council when assisting households to access more affordable private rented accommodation as enforceable Good Landlord Standards (see Appendix 2). 2.4 That Committee agrees the Council explore becoming members of an arms-length ethical lettings agency as a possible alternative to establishing an in-house Ethical Lettings Agency and reports back to this Committee on the potential benefits and costs. 2.6 That Committee notes the potential changes to private rented accommodation, should the proposals set out in the New deal for private renters white paper be adopted into future legislation, and agrees the Director for Housing writes to the Government's Housing Secretary, to lobby for the standards set out in the white paper to be enacted as a bare minimum. 2.7 That Committee notes the additional monitoring agreed in the Quarterly Housing Performance Report.

The appendix compares services offered by several ethical lettings agencies and local authority schemes. Ethical Lettings CIC provides guaranteed rent, free management, tenancy support, eviction assistance and acts as a guarantor, while also being commissioned by a number of local authorities.