Agenda item

This report sets out the recommendations to Cabinet which the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee agreed at its meeting on 20 July 2016. Cabinet are asked to note the recommendations set out in Appendix A.

1.    Cabinet noted the recommendations as set out in Appendix A.

Councillor Ketan Sheth, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report stating that in July the Committee had reviewed Brent’s existing landlord licensing schemes.

The Committee had concluded that the mandatory, selective and additional licensing schemes are very important for a borough where around a third of households are living in the private rented sector, and there has been a lot of interest from members about how well they have been performing.

Councillor Sheth stated that he had accompanied officers who were carrying out checks on properties they believed to be unlicensed to witness the work they do, the types of housing conditions people are living in and the challenges faced. Councillor Sheth paid tribute to the officers for their work and dedication in helping to improve and regulate the private rented sector in our borough.

Councillor Sheth stated that the Committee has made a number of recommendations about landlord licensing. Members had discussed the importance of communications and how reaching out to tenants and residents could be made more effective.

Also, Councillor Sheth stated that the Committee had discussed how the council is working with estate agents and letting agents in the borough and recommended that a strategy is in place for collaborative working with estate agents and letting agents to ensure they are fully aware of what they need to do as part of the licensing schemes.

The Committee had noted the data about the introduction of the selective licensing scheme in the three wards of Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green, and that the number of privately rented homes in those wards has exceeded the initial estimates.

Councillor Sheth reported that at committee it had been said that it seems that a great advantage of selective licensing is the simplicity of its message – if you rent a room, flat or house you need a licence. So on balance, Councillor Sheth, stated that Committee Members had thought that it would be good to have more selective licensing in the borough, and therefore the see, we recommended that a borough-wide extension is something which should be considered.

Councillor Sheth referred to a second report his Committee had discussed at the same meeting in July. More than a year ago, he reminded Members, the Cabinet agreed to set up an Ethical Lettings Agency to be operated by Brent Housing Partnership. The Committee had also reviewed the implementation of this scheme and expressed concerned about the limited progress which has been made with it so far.

He reminded Cabinet Members that one of the recommendations is for a proper assessment of other local authority schemes and their respective outcomes.

Councillor Sheth outlined the number of recommendations for Cabinet on both these schemes.

With the permission of the Chair, Jacky Peacock OBE, Director, Advice4renters, addressed the meeting.

Ms Peacock stated that the recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee support property licensing and the extension of selective licensing across the borough.

Ms Peacock outlined her organisation’s support for licensing too, but pointed out that the way it operates at present is increasing homelessness in the borough. There is reference to collaborative working with estate agents and letting agents but there is no reference to the need to work collaboratively with voluntary sector advice agencies such as ourselves. Ms Peacock informed Members about the recent review of licensing, which included a public consultation.

Ms Peacock outlined her organisation’s proposal for a review of licence fees to include the provision of Tenant Liaison Officers working alongside Licensing enforcement officers.

Councillor Butt thanked Ms Peacock for her contribution.

RESOLVED:-

1.    Cabinet noted the recommendations as set out in Appendix A.