Decision details

To approve the new Licence fee and agree to the recruitment of additional staffing resource to carry out new mandatory licensing requirements.

Matter for Decision

The Executive Councillor was asked to approve an increase to the houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) licence fee as outlined in Appendix A of the Officer’s report and to approve additional staffing resources.

Decision of Executive Councillor for Housing

     i.        Agreed the increase to the HMO licence fee as outlined in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

    ii.        Agree to the recruitment of additional staffing resources as detailed, namely

a.           Two Enforcement Officers

b.            One Licensing Support Officer

Reason for the Decision

In order to comply with additional requirements that extension of Mandatory Licensing would impose it had been necessary to review the current licence fee to ensure that it reflects the actual cost of licensing and associated up to date/current officer costs.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Residential Team Manager, Environmental Health.

The Residential Team Manager, Environmental Health stated the following in response to Members’ questions:

     i.        A risk based inspection programme would be developed. Properties of known landlords, with a good record, would be fast-tracked for licensing without an initial inspection.

    ii.        The length of the License issues could vary and might be shorter where concerns had been raised.

The Tenant and Leaseholder representatives welcomed the report.

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.