Content

(Report of
Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)
 
Members
were updated on the Government focus on improving housing standards in rented properties and how the
Borough Council had responded to the requests of the Secretary of
State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in respect of damp
and mould issues affecting privately rented properties in the
borough and enforcement of housing standards.

 

A copy of the Borough Council’s initial
response was attached at Annex 1 and a full response was
subsequently submitted via online survey with a focus on Housing
Health and Safety Rating Scheme.  It was
highlighted from both responses that the Borough Council already
had a robust approach to dealing with damp and mould
complaints/issues within the borough, however it was recognised
that a jointly agreed formal approach to damp and mould complaints
needed to be developed with Clarion Housing Group, being the main
housing provider in the borough.

 

In addition, Members were updated on how Clarion
Housing Group were responding on this important issue and noted the
Borough Council’s intention to work with them in a more
formal manner to ensure social housing in the borough was of an
acceptable standard and to develop a targeted repairs monitoring
framework with them to ensure the Borough Council were regularly
updated on the condition of their housing stock and could offer
support when needed to.
 
Following
consideration by the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select
Committee, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing resolved
that:
 

(1)        a written
request be sent from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing to
Clarion Housing Group to seek their cooperation in agreeing a
Memorandum of Understanding on how property condition complaints
would be dealt with by both parties; and
 
(2)        a monitoring
framework be adopted and reported on regularly, including to the
Housing Association Liaison Panel.

Reasons for the decision

As set out in the
report submitted to the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select
Committee of 7 June 2023.