The Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee met to review the Council's approach to the private rented sector, examine housing services improvement, and scrutinise housing complaints from the previous year. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming municipal year.

Private Rented Sector, Renters' Rights and Landlord Licensing

The committee was scheduled to consider the Council's strategy for supporting residents in the private rented sector. This included discussions on landlord licensing, enforcement activities, and the standards expected in privately rented homes. Communications to residents and the early implementation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 were also on the agenda. The report highlighted that Newham had issued over 38,000 property licences and had undertaken nearly 30,000 compliance inspections. It also detailed the phased reforms of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which came into effect on 1 May 2026, including the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions and the introduction of periodic tenancies. The report noted that Stratford Olympic Park and Royal Victoria wards were currently excluded from the current licensing designation due to evidence reviewed at the time of designation not meeting the statutory threshold for inclusion.

Housing Services Improvement

A quarterly update on the Housing Services Improvement Plan was scheduled for review. This item aimed to scrutinise how the plan was being implemented and the progress made to date. The committee was to consider the Council's organisational capacity to deliver the required improvements and how progress would be monitored. The report detailed the Council's response to the Regulator of Social Housing's C4 grading in October 2024, outlining the Housing Services Improvement Programme (HSIP) and the Voluntary Undertaking agreed with the Regulator. Progress on implementing the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) Regulations was also to be discussed, alongside how feedback from the Resident Challenge Board, Tenant Satisfaction Measures, and wider resident involvement supported housing improvement work. The report indicated that while progress had been made in strengthening governance and compliance, challenges remained in areas such as data maturity and resident satisfaction.

Housing Complaints 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to review housing complaints made during the 2025/26 financial year. This item aimed to identify lessons learned from internal and external sources and consider any structural changes needed for complaints handling. The report highlighted that 1,578 complaints were received, a slight reduction from the previous year, with 73% of Stage 1 complaints and 94% of Stage 2 complaints responded to within timescales. The report also noted an increase in Stage 2 escalations, with 17% of complaints progressing to this stage, and a significant rise in Housing Ombudsman determinations, from 22 to 44. The maladministration rate improved to 67%, and the Council complied with all Ombudsman orders within the required timescale. Two key areas for improvement were identified: amending the online complaints form for automated analysis and establishing a regular programme of lessons learned meetings from a wider range of complaints.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review and confirm its work programme for the municipal year 2026-2027. This included noting any suggestions for future work. The report indicated that due to the forthcoming local elections and the pre-election period, this was expected to be the final meeting of the committee in the municipal year, with outstanding items deferred.

The meeting was scheduled to begin with welcome and introductions, followed by confirmation of committee membership and declarations of interest. The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 January 2026 were also to be noted. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 30 November 2026.