Issue - meetings

[To receive an update report on the previous Vibrant and Sustainable Scrutiny Panel recommendations on the Private Sector Housing Sector and an update on the Private Sector Housing service, including the development of a Private Sector Housing and Health Strategy]. 

The Panel watched a short video from YouTube created by ITV Central News on the private housing sector within the Wolverhampton area.  The Chair referred to the video as being excellent and demonstrated the good enforcement work which was taking place within the City. 

The Service Director of Housing introduced the report on private sector housing.  The report provided an update on the progress of the recommendations which the Panel had previously given on private housing and a general update on the private housing sector. The report considered a number of areas including houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), fuel poverty, enforcement, rent with confidence and homelessness. 

Several Panel Members raised the point that houses in multiple occupancy were becoming more common within Wolverhampton.  This was starting to cause some concern.  The Homelessness Strategy and External Relations Manager commented that there was a working group on the issue, which included representatives from the Police and Fire Service and Public Health.  It was important to make sure HMOs were of good quality and properly managed.  Part of the working group’s remit was to consider what made a good HMO.  There were common issues with HMOs such as car parking.  Changes to legislation meant that from 1 October 2018, all HMOs containing 5 or more unrelated people who were sharing amenities would require a license and the requirement for 3 or more storeys had been removed.  Consequently, an additional 500 properties in the Wolverhampton area would fall within the definition. 

The Cabinet Member for City Assets and Housing remarked that the Private Housing Sector Forum meetings held to date had been successful and well attended.  The initiative had improved communication with landlords.  At the last meeting landlords had been updated on the changes in the law and had been consulted about the new private housing and health strategy.  There was still room for improvement but overall he was pleased with the relationships the Council had with Landlords. 

A Member of the Panel stated HMOs in their experience had a poor fire safety record.  When the final report on the Grenfell Tower disaster was released the current law of a landlord only needing to supply a letter to show they were meeting fire regulations could well change.  He recommended a report after June be brought back to the Panel and that the Service Director of Housing be invited to a future meeting of the Council’s Fire Safety Review Group.  Members agreed to be updated biannually on the private sector housing service. 

Resolved:

A)   That the Vibrant and Sustainable City Scrutiny Panel receive an update on the private housing service biannually.

B)   That the Service Director of Housing be invited to a future meeting of the Council’s Fire Safety Review Group.