Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee considered a Briefing Note and presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) considering the public consultation currently being carried out to consider the proposed Selective Licensing Scheme for areas of the city. Further views or inputs into the scheme were sought from the Committee. The Committee were provided with the Cabinet Report from 8 January, 2019 setting out proposals for a Selective Licensing Scheme in Coventry. Appendices to the report provided: The Selective Licensing Feasibility Report 2018; LSOA Maps; Selective Licensing Policy 2018; RICS Private Rented Sector Code of Practice; Timeline for Selective Licensing; Selective Licensing Fees and Charges; and Equalities Impact Assessment.

The provision of good quality housing for Coventry residents was a key priority for the City Council. The adopted Coventry Local Plan 2016 detailed how Coventry City Council would meet the future housing needs up to 2031. There was also a need to consider the City’s existing housing stock and in particular the quality of homes provided via the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The Private Rented Sector in Coventry had seen considerable growth over the past 20 years, the 2001 Census reported the sector to be around 13% which had increased to around 21% by 2011, making Coventry the region in the West Midlands with the largest PRS.

The Committee were informed about the criteria for an area to be included in the Selective Licensing Scheme. There were 2 stages. Stage 1 required “High level” of PRS properties which is equal or above national average (20%). If an area has less than 20% it does not pass Stage 1.

To pass Stage 2 an area needs to suffer from one or more;

·  Low Demand

·  ASB

·  Property Conditions

·  Migration

·  Deprivation and Crime

The areas considered were at Lower Super Output areas, which is the smallest area that data is available for.

The proposed fees and charges had been developed in order to reach an appropriate fee to consult on the proposed structure of the scheme. The proposed fees attempted to provide incentives for compliant landlords whilst providing sufficient resources to ensure that the scheme could be effectively delivered, and every property could be inspected before a licence was issued.

Licences would include all of the mandatory conditions required under the legislation, for example, providing gas and electrical certificates and maintaining health and safety standards, as well as additional (discretionary) licence conditions to address issues such as ASB and environmental / management issues.

The City Council was required to consult on the proposals, the results of which would influence the final structure and fees and charges for the scheme. The Committee were asked to comment on the proposals as part of the consultation.

The Committee questioned the officers and representatives on a number of issues and responses were provided, matters raised included:

·  Clarification on the fee structure

·  Consultation process – how are officers including landlords?

·  Discussion about the two stages of criteria that were needed to be met for an area to be considered as part of the scheme.

·  The source of the data for these criteria and how often the data would be reassessed.

·  How the scheme will be monitored to assess effectiveness.

·  How tenants will know if a property is licensed, whether there will be a public register.

·  Clarification of the fee exemption for landlords who are enabling the Council to meet its homelessness duties.

·  The powers and penalties the Council has for enforcement, including civil penalties.

·  How information on prosecutions are reported back to elected members.

·  Any plans to make DBS compulsory? Could make process timelier and more onerous. Inconsistency with taxi licensing

·  How landlords outside of the scheme areas will be monitored

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Co-ordination Committee:

(1)Notes the content of the presentation

(2) Agrees that the following comments be considered as part of the consultation process:

  i.  Officers review data in 12 months’ time to check Stage 2 criteria for areas currently outside of the proposed selective licensing area

  ii.  The number of prosecutions and enforcement actions is reported back to Members on a regular basis.

  iii.  Ensure that the complaints process for tenants is not onerous.

  iv.  That a poster or sign displaying the tenants’ rights and responsibilities be part of the license requirements.

  v.  Consider including DBS checks as part of the licensing process, as with taxi licensing.

  vi.  Officers to continue working with ward members if the scheme is implemented

(3) Indicates that they are generally supportive of the proposed scheme