The Publishable Officer Decisions committee of Hounslow Council was scheduled to consider an update to the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy. This update is intended to incorporate new requirements from the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy Update

The committee was scheduled to review a proposed update to the Council's Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and associated Civil Penalty Policy. This revision is a direct response to the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which significantly reforms the regulation of the private rented sector. A key change introduced by the Act is a statutory duty for local housing authorities, such as Hounslow Council, to actively enforce landlord legislation, moving away from a previously discretionary model.

The report pack indicated that the proposed policy changes aim to ensure statutory compliance, reduce legal risks, and align with corporate and housing priorities. The update also incorporates a new nationally prescribed civil penalty framework, as established by the Act and supported by new government guidance. The Council's existing policies for offences committed before 1 May 2026 will remain in effect, with the applicable policy determined by the date of the offence.

The report highlighted that the Renters' Rights Act 2025 expands investigatory powers for councils, introduces new and amended offences for landlords, and strengthens the use of Rent Repayment Orders and Banning Orders. The proposed approach aligns with national model policies developed by the Association of Chief Environmental Health Officers (ACEHO), including the Justice for Tenants (JFT) civil penalty matrix, which has been adopted by many other London boroughs to promote consistency.

The report noted that the Council had received new burdens funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the implementation of the Act, including staff training and recruitment. The adoption of the revised policies was recommended to ensure this funding could be deployed effectively and lawfully.

The proposed policy changes were stated to directly support the Council's Corporate Plan – Ambitious for Hounslow 2022–2026, by strengthening protections for private renters and addressing poor-quality and unsafe housing. They also align with the Housing Strategy 2025–2030, specifically Priority 3: Raising standards in the private rented sector.

The report indicated that the Executive Director, Placemaking and Growth, Peter O Brien, had approved the adoption of the new Supplementary Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and the associated updated Civil Penalty Policy. Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Assets, Regeneration and Development, had also been consulted.