Decision details

Report updating Members with the proposed civil penalty fines for Housing Act 2004 offences as an alternative to prosecution, as discussed in the fees and charges paper of 14 March 2017.

Arising from a report of the Public Health and Professional Services Manager, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the proposed civil penalties approach and the fines with regard to private sector housing as set out in the report be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that Section 126 and Schedule 9 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 came into force on the 6^th April 2017. The provisions gave the Council as the local housing authority the power to issue a financial penalty for certain Housing Act 2004 offences after the 6^th April 2017 as an alternative to prosecution.

The offences included failing to comply with an improvement notice, offences in relation to the licensing of houses of multiple occupation, offences with regard to the licensing of houses, contravention of an overcrowding notice and failure to comply with management regulations in respect of houses in multiple occupation.  He outlined the level of fines as set out in the report and informed the meeting that a civil penalty could only be imposed as an alternative to prosecution.

Discussion took place regarding proposed communication of the new procedures with landlords

RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Note:  * Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.