Purpose

Local housing authorities are
empowered under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 to introduce
selective licensing in all or parts of their area to tackle
problems in the private rented sector. All privately rented homes
in an area subject to a selective licensing designation must be
licensed with the local housing authority. A wide range of licence
conditions relating to safety and management standards are attached
to all selective licences.
 
The latest housing condition
survey and feasibility study provide robust evidence for
considering selective licensing designations in Margate and
Ramsgate that would affect approximately 12,625 privately rented
homes. The implementation of two simultaneous five-year
designations would be a significant undertaking as the council
would need to follow strict and complex prescribed legislative
processes.
 
A budget of £190,000 is
required to support the preparation and potential implementation of
the proposed designations.

Decision

Cabinet agreed the following:
 
1. 
The appointment of specialist consultants to prepare consultation
proposals for one or more new selective licensing designations in
the district;
 
2. 
To consider a further report, prior to the public consultation, to
approve the draft proposals and the public consultation
exercise.

Reasons for the decision

Implementing two simultaneous selective
licensing designations would be a rigorous and challenging
exercise. The Private Sector Housing team does not have sufficient
resources or the expertise required to implement a large
discretionary licensing scheme alone. The £190,000 budget
will fund specialist consultants and barrister oversight, as well
as covering associated administrative costs. The funding will allow
the council to fully develop and consider proposals that - if
eventually implemented - would have a positive impact on the health
and well-being of the district.

Alternative options considered

Delivering the project in-house was not
considered to be viable owing to a lack of resources within the
Private Sector Housing team and expertise in planning, preparing
and implementing a larger scheme.
 
Continuing with business as usual - without
considering making selective licensing designations - was not
considered an appropriate option because the council would miss a
potential opportunity to proactively improve housing conditions and
management in areas suffering from a higher prevalence of poor
housing conditions and deprivation, thereby missing an opportunity
to improve health outcomes and well-being.