Decision details

The report is asking for approval to investigate the next steps in establishing a Councils Lettings Agency.  This will involve offering landlords a full management service that deals with all aspects of property management. including rent collection and a full repair and maintenance service. The report sets out a range of new initiatives for the regulation of the Private Rented Sector

Further to Minute No. 44, 23^rd September 2015, the Director of Environment and Housing submitted a report setting out proposals to establish a Council Lettings Agency and also detailing proposals regarding the regulation of the Private Rented Sector (PRS).

In considering the submitted report, Members welcomed the proposals detailed within it.

In conclusion, the Board paid tribute to and thanked John Statham, Head of Housing Partnerships, Environment and Housing, for his services to the Council, as this would be the final Board meeting in which he would be in attendance prior to his retirement.

RESOLVED - 

(a)  That the proposal, in principle, to establish a Council Lettings scheme managed by Housing Leeds be approved.

(b)  That the proposal to establish a Leeds Rental Standard, supported by self-regulation, be approved.

(c)  That the proposal to establish a Rogue Landlord Unit be approved.

(d)  That the proposal to commit the Leeds Neighbourhood Approach (LNA) to a longer term mutli-agency programme of work within Holbeck be approved.

(e)  That the Director of Environment and Housing be requested to bring forward proposals for a Selective Licensing Scheme.

(f)  That the proposals, as set out within the submitted report, to implement a range of charging proposals, be approved.

(g)    That the implementation of all of the resolutions, as detailed above, be delegated to the Director of Environment and Housing.

Consultation plan as outlined in the report to Executive Board

Will include Lead Members, Elected Members, local Landlords and Agents who currently work with LHO on PSLS scheme