Issue - meetings

This report updates Members on the Government focus on improving housing standards in rented properties and how the Council has responded.  It also updates on how our housing partners are responding and seeks Member endorsement of our approach to working with Clarion Housing Group on this important agenda.

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

Members were updated on the Government focus on improving housing standards in rented properties and how the Borough Council had responded to the requests of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in respect of damp and mould issues affecting privately rented properties in the borough and enforcement of housing standards.

A copy of the Borough Council’s initial response was attached at Annex 1 and a full response was subsequently submitted via online survey with a focus on Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme.  It was highlighted from both responses that the Borough Council already had a robust approach to dealing with damp and mould complaints/issues within the borough, however it was recognised that a jointly agreed formal approach to damp and mould complaints needed to be developed with Clarion Housing Group, being the main housing provider in the borough.

In addition, Members were updated on how Clarion Housing Group were responding on this important issue and noted the Borough Council’s intention to work with them in a more formal manner to ensure social housing in the borough was of an acceptable standard and to develop a targeted repairs monitoring framework with them to ensure the Borough Council were regularly updated on the condition of their housing stock and could offer support when needed to.

Following consideration by the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing resolved that:

(1)        a written request be sent from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing to Clarion Housing Group to seek their cooperation in agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding on how property condition complaints would be dealt with by both parties; and

(2)        a monitoring framework be adopted and reported on regularly, including to the Housing Association Liaison Panel.

(Decision Notice D230052MEM)

Members were updated on the Government focus on improving housing standards in rented properties and how the Borough Council had responded to the requests of the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in respect of damp and mould issues affecting privately rented properties in the borough and enforcement of housing standards.

A copy of the Borough Council’s initial response was attached at Annex 1 and a full response was subsequently submitted via online survey with a focus on Housing Health and Safety Rating Scheme.  It was highlighted from both responses that the Borough Council already had a robust approach to dealing with damp and mould complaints/issues within the borough, however it was recognised that a jointly agreed formal approach to damp and mould complaints needed to be developed with Clarion Housing Group, being the main housing provider in the borough.

In addition, Members were updated on how Clarion Housing Group were responding on this important issue and noted the Borough Council’s intention to work with them in a more formal manner to ensure social housing in the borough was of an acceptable standard and to develop a targeted repairs monitoring framework with them to ensure the Borough Council were regularly updated on the condition of their housing stock and could offer support when needed to.  Members expressed concern in respect of the performance of Clarion Housing Group in dealing with damp and mould repair and treatment issues and quality of the works and requested that these be included as part of the KPI monitoring.

RECOMMENDED*: That

(1)        a written request be sent from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing to Clarion Housing Group to seek their cooperation in agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding on how property condition complaints would be dealt with by both parties; and

(2)        a monitoring framework be adopted and reported on regularly, including to the Housing Association Liaison Panel.

* Decision Taken by Cabinet Member