Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Service Lead – Housing Tenancy Services. 

People Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 6 June 2019 and its comments will be reported.

The Portfolio Holder, Council Housing Development and Services, presented the report which set out the draft policy in relation to Hoarding in council properties, which was becoming more of a prevalent issue in both the social and private housing sector and presented a number of risks, as outlined in the report presented to the meeting. Hoarding was a complex area of work and under the Equality Act 2010 people who hoarded or cluttered were recognised as having a mental illness and were considered to have a protected characteristic. The policy would provide officers with clear guidelines on how to approach this challenging area of work.

People Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 6 June 2019 and its comments were reported, including revised wording to section 9 of the policy, which was accepted by the Executive as appropriate.

During discussion, members wished the hard work of Council staff in developing this policy, as well as dealing with tenants who exhibit hoarding tendencies, to be recorded.

RECOMMENDED that the Executive support and Council adopt the Hoarding in Council Properties Policy.

To consider the report of the Service Lead Housing Tenancy Services.

The Service Lead Housing Tenancy Services presented the report setting out the draft policy in relation to hoarding in Council properties and spoke to a presentation highlighting the issues, including case studies.

Hoarding presented fire risks in property as the materials hoarded were often highly flammable as well as risks of accident and harm to the tenant and any other household members and compromising the health and safety of neighbours and the wider community. Hoarding could also lead to structural damage and clearance/repair costs to the property once vacated.

With some 48 properties identified with this problem, the Service Lead explained the role of and training for Housing and Environmental Health Officers, the latter involved more with private properties. He commended the work of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and the Principal Environmental Health Officer in this area.

Members discussed issues around mental health where hoarding occurred with particular views expressed where it might prove necessary to evict an individual, potentially making them homeless and incurring further cost to the public sector in support and seeking to re-house. One Member stated that, with particular reference to those with mental health issues, it was important to ensure that eviction should not occur without a guarantee of re-housing and that the policy should reflect this. Other Members felt that regard should also be had to where hoarding occurred in blocks of flats and how this behaviour could impact adversely on neighbours. Action was sometimes needed to also ensure the safety and wellbeing of the tenant and secure the long term condition of the home.

In the last eight years there had been just one case of eviction, the individual concerned being ultimately re-housed by the Council.

A Member moved that the policy be amended to ensure that where eviction is deemed necessary, the Council undertakes to ensure that a hoarder is not made homeless but found other, more suitable housing options. The motion was seconded put to the vote and lost.

Members asked that the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee to the Principal Environmental Health Officer and the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service be recorded.

People - Scrutiny Committee noted and supported the report and recommended Executive and Counciladopt the Hoarding in Council Properties Policy.