DECISION

1.    Note the results of the consultation undertaken in relation to the proposed Additional Licensing Scheme as summarised in the report.

2.    Designate all wards in the Borough as subject to Additional Licensing under section 56(1) of the Housing Act 2004 in relation to multiple-occupied properties occupied by three or more persons in two or more households where some or all the facilities are shared. Such designation to take effect from 1^st April 2024 and to last for five years unless revoked before then.

3.    Agree the fee structure for the Additional Licensing Scheme as set out in in the report, with the fees being determined during the budget setting process for 24/25. The application fee will be apportioned for administrative and enforcement costs.

4.    Agree the Additional Licensing Scheme licence conditions, fit and proper person protocol and private rental property standards as detailed for adoption at the commencement of the new designation. The revised private rental property standards, revised conditions and fit and proper person protocol will also apply as necessary, to the mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation, current Additional Licensing  and Selective Licensing schemes from the 1^st January 2024.  

5.    To delegate the Corporate Director Communities authority to issue the required statutory notifications in relation to the commencement of the Additional Licensing Scheme designation.

6.    To agree that there are no exemptions apart for the statutory exemptions.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, COMMUNITIES (RAJ MISTRY)

Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards (David Tolley)

Councillor Kabir Hussain, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency introduced the report that set out the proposed renewal designation for an Additional Houses in Multiple Occupation Licensing Scheme for properties in multiple occupation within the Borough, following on from a public consultation.  The report also covered proposed standard conditions imposed on each licensed property, the revised rental property standards to be adopted and the fee structure for a licence. Councillor Hussain expressed hope that, through the scheme, landlords would be providing more safe and high-quality homes for renters in the borough.

David Tolley, (Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards) provided further detail, including how the proposed scheme compared to the scheme currently in place and which properties would be covered by it.

The Mayor and Cabinet welcomed the report and asked that a communications strategy be developed to create awareness of the new scheme and its provisions.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1.    Notes the results of the consultation undertaken in relation to the proposed Additional Licensing Scheme as summarised in the report.

2.    Designates all wards in the Borough as subject to Additional Licensing under section 56(1) of the Housing Act 2004 in relation to multiple-occupied properties occupied by three or more persons in two or more households where some or all the facilities are shared. Such designation to take effect from 1^st April 2024 and to last for five years unless revoked before then.

3.    Agrees the fee structure for the Additional Licensing Scheme as set out in in the report, with the fees being determined during the budget setting process for 24/25. The application fee will be apportioned for administrative and enforcement costs.

4.    Agrees the Additional Licensing Scheme licence conditions, fit and proper person protocol and private rental property standards as detailed for adoption at the commencement of the new designation. The revised private rental property standards, revised conditions and fit and proper person protocol will also apply as necessary, to the mandatory Houses in Multiple Occupation, current Additional Licensing and Selective Licensing schemes from 1 January 2024.   

5.    Delegates the Corporate Director Communities authority to issue the required statutory notifications in relation to the commencement of the Additional Licensing Scheme designation.

6.    Agrees that there are no exemptions apart for the statutory exemptions.