Issue - meetings

That Cabinet:

a)       approve the adoption of the updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, incorporating duties placed on the Council under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 for inclusion in the Councils existing Enforcement Policy;

b)       approve the adoption of the Civil Financial Penalties Policy and associated penalty matrix to enable the Council to impose civil penalties for breaches under the new legislative framework; and

c)        delegate authority to the Director - Communities & Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to make minor operational amendments to the policies to reflect future updates to statutory guidance.

The Business Manager - Public Protection presented a report which sought approval for the adoption of the updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and associated Civil Penalty Matrix, reflecting the requirements of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 ahead of its implementation in May 2026. The adoption of the policy and matrix would provide clarity to landlords, tenants and agents on how the Council would exercise its powers and what the Council can impose as civil penalties for new offences. It was noted that the four-week public consultation ended on 6 April 2026, with just one question being raised relating to park homes which was responded to. 

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)           approve the adoption of the updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, incorporating duties placed on the Council under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 for inclusion in the Councils existing Enforcement Policy;

b)          approve the adoption of the Civil Financial Penalties Policy and associated penalty matrix to enable the Council to impose civil penalties for breaches under the new legislative framework; and

c)           delegate authority to the Director - Communities & Environment in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing to make minor operational amendments to the policies to reflect future updates to statutory guidance.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure the Council can undertake the new legal duties from May 2026. This directly links to the Community Plan Objective - Increase the supply of housing, in particular decent homes that residents can afford to buy and rent, as well as improving housing standards.

Options Considered:

Do nothing – failure to adopt a legally compliant enforcement and penalty framework would prevent the Council from meeting statutory duties under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Delay adoption pending further national guidance – the legislation comes into force in May 2026 and the Council must have a robust enforcement framework in place for day one of implementation.