RESOLVED

1.    That the Civil Penalties and Rent Repayment Order policy and charging system as set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

2.    That the introduction of a revised fee structure for HMO mandatory licensing charges be approved.

3.    That the case for using the income from Civil Penalties, Rent Repayment Orders and the revised mandatory HMO licensing scheme so as to build capacity within the Housing Enforcement Team in order to meet statutory requirements be approved.

4.    That the renaming of the current Environmental Health Housing Service to the Housing Enforcement Team, to better reflect the current operating environment, be approved.

5.    That the Housing Enforcement Policy be approved.

6.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Community and Housing to approve minor adaptations and updated to the Housing Enforcement Policy as and when required.

7.    That further data analysis be carried out to identify which area(s) will be adopted for Selective Licensing.

Councillor Martin Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport presented the report which set out proposals for the enforcement of the housing sector.  This was a growing issue for residents as a quarter of properties within Merton were in the private rented sector.  He outlined the recommendations and drew the Cabinet’s attention to similar work on this issue carried out in other Boroughs.

The Chair welcomed the report  and thanked the Cabinet Member for his work on the report, including looking at the work of other boroughs.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Civil Penalties and Rent Repayment Order policy and charging system as set out in Appendix 1 to the Cabinet report be approved.

2.    That the introduction of a revised fee structure for HMO mandatory licensing charges be approved.

3.    That the case for using the income from Civil Penalties, Rent Repayment Orders and the revised mandatory HMO licensing scheme so as to build capacity within the Housing Enforcement Team in order to meet statutory requirements be approved.

4.    That the renaming of the current Environmental Health Housing Service to the Housing Enforcement Team, to better reflect the current operating environment, be approved.

5.    That the Housing Enforcement Policy be approved.

6.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Community and Housing to approve minor adaptations and updated to the Housing Enforcement Policy as and when required.

7.    That further data analysis be carried out to identify which area(s) will be adopted for Selective Licensing.