Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on I June 2010 and comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted informing members of the financial assistance awarded to private sector households in 2009-10 and proposing changes to the types and levels of financial assistance that will be available in 2010-11. 

The Director Community and Environment reported that the financial assistance packages formed one of the policy tools available to improve housing conditions in the private sector housing stock in Exeter. The 39,600 private sector dwellings comprised owner-occupied and privately rented properties, of which 7% were estimated to be Houses in Multiple Occupation.  A member expressed concern that financial assistance packages might encourage speculative and irresponsible landlords to purchase property, resulting in a loss of family accommodation.  Whilst acknowledging this concern, the Chair commented that a significant private rented sector was a desirable option for an urban area and that enforcement measures were in place to encourage landlords to keep their properties in an acceptable state of repair. 

Members welcomed the low interest Home Improvement Loans which had replaced renovation grants as the scheme enabled the re-circulation of money for the improvement of properties. In response to questions regarding Disabled Facilities Grants, the Director Community and Environment responded that these were mandatory and subject to specified timescales for approval.  It would be necessary to monitor the allocation closely and if necessary re-allocate funding from another scheme or review the prioritisation criteria.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 1 June 2010 and the comments and support of Members were noted.

Executive resolved that:-

(1)     the adoption of changes to the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy in respect of financial assistance packages outlined in the report be approved;

(2)     the close monitoring of the expenditure of the single pot allocation be approved with the proposed financial allocation to each of the schemes proposed or further schemes to be developed to be subject to approval by the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Community Involvement and the Head of Environmental Health Services;

(3)     the annual review, or sooner if needs be, of the policy be approved in order to ensure that it properly addresses local needs and/or government policy.

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted informing members of the financial assistance awarded to private sector households in 2009-10 and proposing changes to the types and levels of financial assistance that will be available in 2010-11. 

The Director Community and Environment reported that the financial assistance packages formed one of the policy tools available to improve housing conditions in the private sector housing stock in Exeter. The 39,600 private sector dwellings comprised owner-occupied and privately rented properties, of which 7% were estimated to be Houses in Multiple Occupation.  A member expressed concern that financial assistance packages might encourage speculative and irresponsible landlords to purchase property, resulting in a loss of family accommodation.  Whilst acknowledging this concern, the Chair commented that a significant private rented sector was a desirable option for an urban area and that enforcement measures were in place to encourage landlords to keep their properties in an acceptable state of repair. 

Members welcomed the low interest Home Improvement Loans which had replaced renovation grants as the scheme enabled the re-circulation of money for the improvement of properties. In response to questions regarding Disabled Facilities Grants, the Director Community and Environment responded that these were mandatory and subject to specified timescales for approval.  It would be necessary to monitor the allocation closely and if necessary re-allocate funding from another scheme or review the prioritisation criteria.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at its meeting on 1 June 2010 and the comments and support of Members were noted.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)     the adoption of changes to the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy in respect of financial assistance packages outlined in this report be approved;

(2)     the close monitoring of the expenditure of the single pot allocation be approved with the proposed financial allocation to each of the schemes proposed or further schemes to be developed to be subject to approval by the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Community Involvement and the Head of Environmental Health Services;

(3)     the annual review, or sooner if needs be, of the policy be approved in order to ensure that it properly addresses local needs and/or government policy.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Environmental Health Services - report circulated

The Head of Environmental Health Services presented the report informing Members of the financial assistance awarded to private sector households in 2009/10 and proposing changes to the types and levels of financial assistance that would be available in 2010/11. Financial assistance packages formed one of the policy tools available to improve housing conditions in the private sector. A review of the other policy tools would be contained in the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy that would form a sub-strategy of the Housing Strategy, which would be reported to this Committee in September.

In response to a Member, who was concerned that there would now be an increase in requests for financial support to improve properties with a view to a quick sale before regulations on Capital Gains Tax were changed, he advised that any loans/grants provided were covered by claw back provisions on a subsequent sale. Such eventualities were not anticipated.

He confirmed that owner occupiers in poor housing, or housing needing adaptation, were the main recipients of financial assistance. He also explained the inspection process for houses in multiple occupation across the City and the operation of HMO licensing, with those in the worst condition being targeted in the first instance. It was noted that if landlords were running an unlicensed HMO, then their tenants could apply to the Residential Property Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order of up to one year’s rent.

Scrutiny Committee - Community supported the report and requested Executive to:

(1)        adopt changes to the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy in respect of financial assistance packages as set out in the report;

(2)        ensure the close monitoring of the expenditure of the single pot allocation, with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Involvement and Head of Environmental Health Services authorised to agree the proposed financial allocation to each of the schemes proposed or further schemes to be developed; and

(3)        agree to an annual review, or sooner if needs be, of the policy in order to ensure that it properly addresses local needs and/or government policy.

(Report circulated)