Issue - meetings

          The Board received a report from the Director of Public Health which provided an update on the current measures in place to enforce standards in the Private Rental Sector and the new measures proposed in the Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill.

          The 2011 Census reported that 11% of households in the Borough were in the private rental sector, however, the 2021 Census reported that this number had risen to 14%.  In 2024, Metastreet, a housing research consultancy, was commissioned by the Council to undertake a study and this estimated that there were 11, 486 dwellings in the private rental sector which equated to 19% of the Borough’s housing stock.         The study also predicted that around 4,000 properties in Halton’s private rental sector had at least one serious housing hazard.

          It was noted that last year, the Council’s Environmental Health Team received 172 complaints about housing conditions, which indicated that there was a significant under reporting by tenants.  It was hoped that measures contained in the Renters Rights’ Bill would provide tenants with more protection and therefore encourage more people to report issues.  Furthermore, measures to proactively improve housing standards in the private rental sector, would be set out in the Council’s new Housing Strategy, which was currently under consultation.  Section 4 of the report set out current laws and policies in place to help the Council enforce property standards and protect tenants. 

          Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) i.e. properties with 5 or more tenants required a license.  There were currently 127 HMO’s in the Borough, although there was an additional 73 smaller HMO’s (3-4 tenants) that did not require a license.  However, it was noted that there could potentially be more smaller HMO’s, as there was no current requirement for landlords to notify the Council.  The Board acknowledged that there were concerns amongst both residents and Elected Members about HMO’s, however, they provided a valuable contribution to the housing market and provided much needed accommodation for single person households.  Members were assured that once in place, the Housing Strategy would set out measures to control HMO’s going forward.

          In response to comments/questions from the Board, the following additional information was noted:

• Concerns were raised about expensive leasehold properties in the Borough and therefore the difficulties owners had in in selling their homes which forced them into renting them out;
• An opportunity was being explored to establish a Housing Partnership Board which would consist of representatives from all housing associations;
• The regulations in the new Bill would not include lodgers; and
• Members of the Board were encouraged to respond to the new Housing Strategy, which was currently out on consultation.

          RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.