Issue - meetings

The report recommends the implementation of a private sector housing financial (civil) penalties policy under the Housing Act 2004, and Housing and Planning Act 2016.  Implementation of financial penalties as an alternative to prosecution will allow the Council to re-use the income to self-finance some of its future targeted enforcement activity.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report recommended the implementation of a private sector housing financial (civil) penalties policy under the Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016.  This would enable the Council to adopt an alternative approach to prosecution of a private landlord or agent for certain housing offences or breaches of a banning order.  It was noted that implementation of financial penalties would allow the Council to re-use the income to self-finance some of its future targeted enforcement activity.

Following consideration by the Communities and Housing Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Housing resolved that:

(1)             the Private Sector Housing Financial Civil Penalties Policy set out at Annex 1 to the report be endorsed; and

(2)              authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to approve amendments to the policy to reflect any changes to the law affecting the enforcement of civil penalties under the Housing Act 2004, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 or other relevant legislation.

Decision Notice D200021MEM

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health recommended the implementation of a private sector housing financial (civil) penalties policy under the Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016.  This would enable the Council to adopt an alternative approach to prosecution of a private landlord or agent for certain housing offences or breaches of a banning order.  It was noted that implementation of financial penalties would allow the Council to re-use the income to self-finance some of its future targeted enforcement activity.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the Private Sector Housing Financial Civil Penalties Policy set out at Annex 1 to the report be endorsed; and

(2)           authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to approve amendments to the policy to reflect any changes to the law affecting the enforcement of civil penalties under the Housing Act 2004, the Housing and Planning Act 2016 or other relevant legislation.