The Housing Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet on Monday 7 September 2026 to discuss a range of housing-related matters. Key topics on the agenda include increasing the supply of affordable housing through the Local Authority Housing Fund, an update on the city's housing crisis declaration, and strategies for improving the private rented sector. The commission will also receive reports on the implementation of the Renters' Rights Act, repairs and maintenance performance, and the annual corporate complaints report.

Increasing Affordable Housing Supply: Local Authority Housing Fund

The commission is set to consider the fourth round of Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) funding. This report, submitted by the Director of Housing, outlines plans to secure 56 affordable housing units between 2026/27 and 2029/30. The initiative aims to alleviate local housing pressures, reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, and provide sustainable housing for Afghan citizens settling in the UK. The proposed funding involves £6.675 million in LAHF capital grant and £8.759 million from Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing, adding £15.434 million to the HRA Capital Programme. This funding is intended to address the city's housing needs and aligns with the council's commitment to increasing the supply of affordable homes.

Update on the Housing Crisis Declaration and Refresh

A report from the Director of Housing will provide an update on the progress made in delivering actions related to the city's declared housing crisis. Leicester City Council declared a housing crisis in November 2022, highlighting the growing demand for affordable, decent housing. The report will detail the current national and local housing landscape and pressures in 2026, proposing new actions for both national and local government. Significant progress has been reported on the action plan, with 15 out of 16 local authority actions completed and one ongoing, and 10 out of 16 government demands completed with six ongoing. The report also considers and outlines a new set of next steps and demands for both the government and the council. This discussion is particularly relevant given the council's manifesto pledge to address the housing crisis and its previous declaration of a housing crisis in 2022.

Private Rental Sector Strategy

The commission will review the proposed Private Rented Sector (PRS) Strategy 2026-2031, which outlines Leicester City Council's strategic approach to improving standards and outcomes within the city's private rented housing sector. This strategy is a response to the significant role of the PRS in Leicester, where approximately 40,000 properties are privately rented, and acknowledges the impact of the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The strategy's central objective is To improve housing standards in Leicester's private rented sector — for the benefit of tenants, landlords, and the wider community. It is structured around six strategic objectives, including improving housing standards, supporting landlords and tenants, enhancing enforcement, improving market access, and strengthening joined-up services. This aligns with the council's broader commitment to tackling the housing crisis and improving housing quality.

The Renters' Rights Act - Update Report

This report provides an update on the Renters' Rights Act, following the implementation of its first phase in May 2026. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is described as a transformative piece of legislation, introducing significant reforms to the private rented sector. The report details the key changes, including the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, the new assured periodic tenancy regime, reformed possession grounds, and a formalised rent increase process. It also covers the prohibition of rental bidding wars and discrimination against benefit recipients, alongside new investigatory and enforcement powers for local authorities. The report notes that while Phase 1 has been implemented, further phases, including the national PRS Landlord Database and the Landlord Ombudsman, are scheduled for later implementation. The council has established a project board and a dedicated project manager to coordinate the response to this legislation, and has received new burdens funding to support implementation.

Repairs and Maintenance Service Performance Update Report 2026

The commission will receive an updated overview of the Repairs and Maintenance (R&M) Team's performance for 2025-26. The report highlights ongoing and emerging challenges, such as national skills shortages impacting recruitment and contractor capacity, and new legislative requirements including Awaab's Law Phase 2, updated HHSRS, and changes to the Decent Homes Standard. Despite these challenges, the report indicates progress in reducing outstanding repairs and improving completion rates, with a notable decrease in out-of-category repairs. The report also details improvements made, such as further integration of specialist contractors, optimisation of scheduling, refined team structures, and the introduction of a new repairs dashboard. Projections for reducing outstanding out-of-category repairs are presented, alongside an update on the voids process and damp and mould remediation efforts, particularly in light of Awaab's Law.

Annual Corporate Complaints Report 2025/26

This report provides an annual update on the Council's Corporate Complaints service, excluding statutory adult and children's social care complaints and those about elected officials. In 2025/26, the council received 1,435 formal complaints, with 787 (55%) relating to housing matters under the jurisdiction of the Housing Ombudsman. The report details performance against the Housing Ombudsman's Complaint Handling Code, noting that 63.1% of stage one complaints and 67% of stage two complaints were responded to within timescale. It also outlines the number of complaints upheld by the Housing Ombudsman, with a maladministration rate of 76.9% for determined cases. For other corporate complaints, 648 (45%) were related to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, with 68% responded to within timescale and 71% of fully investigated cases being upheld. The report also details service improvements implemented as a result of learning from complaints, focusing on key themes such as the time taken to complete repairs, quality of repair work, communication, meeting the needs of vulnerable tenants, and complaint handling itself.

Work Programme

Members of the commission will have the opportunity to review the work programme for the Housing Scrutiny Commission and suggest any additional items they deem necessary for future discussion. The forward plan for 2026-27 includes topics such as Health & Safety Compliance, the Housing Regulator update, Homelessness Strategy, and the HRA Budget proposals.