The Adult Social Services, Health and Housing Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday 30 July 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a discussion on a proposed Private Rented Sector Offer Policy, which aims to provide a framework for using private rented accommodation to fulfil the council's housing duties. The committee will also review its work programme.

Private Rented Sector Offer Policy

A significant item scheduled for discussion is the proposed adoption of a Private Rented Sector Offer (PRSO) Policy. This policy is intended to establish a clear and transparent process for utilising private rented accommodation to discharge the council's main housing duty, provided that statutory requirements are met. The report highlights that recent changes to the private rented sector, such as those introduced by the Renters Rights Act from 1 May 2026, are expected to offer tenants greater security of tenure, making this policy a potentially more settled accommodation option.

The PRSO Policy is presented as a component of a broader homelessness transformation programme within Richmond. This programme aims to shift the operating model from reactive crisis management towards earlier prevention, stronger triage, faster move-on from temporary accommodation, and more effective use of the private rented sector. The policy includes safeguards to ensure that any offer of accommodation is suitable for the household, considering factors such as affordability, size, health and mobility needs, and access to essential services like schools, employment, and support networks. Applicants will retain the right to request a statutory review if they believe an offer is not suitable.

The report indicates that demand on homelessness services is rising nationally and locally, leading to increased pressure and reliance on temporary accommodation. The proposed policy is seen as a necessary approach to control costs and improve settled outcomes for residents. It is noted that the private rented sector already accounts for approximately 25% of residential dwellings in Richmond, and the council already engages with landlords and agents to secure accommodation. Adopting the PRSO Policy would formalise and strengthen this route.

The financial implications of the policy are also outlined, with projections suggesting potential indicative savings of up to around £2 million a year after factoring in upfront costs. These savings are based on achieving an annual target of 48 discharges and are realised by accelerating the discharge of duty compared to the current average time clients spend in temporary accommodation.

The report also details the legal implications, referencing the Localism Act 2011 and the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which enable local authorities to end statutory housing duties by offering private rented tenancies. It also stresses the importance of considering the council's duties under the Equality Act 2010, with an Equality Impact and Needs Assessment (EINA) provided in Appendix 3. This assessment suggests that with mitigating actions, there should be no adverse impact from implementing the policy.

Committee Work Programme

The committee is also scheduled to consider its work plan for future business. This involves reviewing upcoming items and ensuring the committee's agenda aligns with its responsibilities and priorities.