Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director of Operations.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the adoption of the new Housing Recharges Policy for the period 2025-2030.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

As first-time attendees at the Executive, the Chair welcomed the Head of Service – Asset Maintenance and the Interim Head of Service – Housing to the meeting.

The Executive received the report which provided a summary of the new Housing Recharges Policy 2025-2030 for repairs and maintenance works to its properties to ensure they remain in a safe condition, using the rent payable through the Housing Revenue Account to ensure the service represents value for money for legitimate repairs work.

Particular reference was made to the policy as follows:

·        the Council had always recharged tenants for work to properties that fell outside of the Council obligations as a landlord, but re-charges were applied on an ad-hoc basis;

·        the new policy provided a fair, consistent, and transparent framework for recharging tenants for work required due to damage or negligence;

·        the Council was required to operate a cost-effective repair service and demonstrated value for money for tenants;

·        the policy aimed to ensure that the Council could recover costs for work that was not part of its legal maintenance responsibility; and

·        the implementation of the policy would be monitored to ensure it was applied in a fair and transparent way.

During the debate, the following points were made:

·        were re-charges being made previously and were tenants made aware?

·        was there an example appendix available of the costs to assure cost recovery?

·        assurances were sought on there being consideration of financial hardship and allowing time to for tenants to pay even when not technically in hardship;

·        how would rechargeable repairs be picked up, i.e. housing officer visits or councillor reports;

·        there was a need for clarity on who was responsible for communal grounds, noting inconsistencies across blocks;

·        an enquiry was made about the standards for repairs carried out and what  interaction and DIY advice had been given to tenants?

·        how were standards agreed for unauthorised alterations/improvements and would the approved policy be included in lease materials? and

·        was there was a time limit for family members to clear out belongings, where a tenant died or a tenancy ended?

In response to questions raised, the Strategic Director for People and Communities  and the Interim Head of Service – Housing advised that:

·        there should have been an appendix to the policy setting our sample charging information, and this would be provided to Members;

·        new tenants would be reminded of their responsibilities to maintain the property in good order and the recharge policy was part of the routine tenancy induction process.

·        Officers and contractors would clarify responsibilities and potential charges for existing tenants as part of the routine process of reporting and acting on repairs and maintenance work; and

·        housing officers would discuss suspected damage, advise on next steps, and consider costs reasonably and fairly, especially for vulnerable tenants including those acting as executors for deceased tenants.

The Leader moved, and Councillor Wright seconded, the recommendations which were voted upon and CARRIED unanimously.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the adoption of the new Housing Recharges Policy for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73