Agenda item

1.

Title of Item/Report

Enforcement & Regulatory Policy Housing

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Enforcement & Regulatory Policy Housing.

The Renters Rights Act received Royal Assent on the 27 October 2025. It was a significant and transformative piece of legislation intended to strengthen protections for private tenants and rebalance landlord-tenant relationships.

With effect from the 27 October 2025 the Act introduced a significantly expanded civil penalty framework and placed new duties on Councils to enforce a broader range of landlord obligations.  This included additional compliance requirements, enhanced penalties for repeat or serious non-compliance, and clearer expectations that enforcement activity was carried out in a fair, consistent and proportionate manner.   The Council’s existing Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy v6 (published in 2024) no longer reflected the current legislative position.  The report therefore sought approval for the updated (and renamed) Enforcement & Regulatory Policy (Housing).

Members were asked to note that agreeing an updated Enforcement & Regulatory Policy (Housing) was one of the ways in which the Council was preparing for the introduction of the Act.  To ensure a timely and appropriate response  preparatory work had been ongoing on a cross-service basis.  This included the use of New Burdens funding to support our capacity requirements and up-skill existing colleagues, alongside a review of all relevant policies and working procedures, reviewing the monitoring systems to ensure the Council could provide the information required by Government, with the introduction of new mandatory returns, updating the Councils website to support tenants understand the key changes, and engagement with private sector landlords.  Officers had and would continue to work closely with other LA’s as part of a regional group and was a member of the Governments JIGSAW network.  This network was funded by Government to support Local Authorities in preparing for the new legislation and promoted collaboration across PRS teams in England and supporting readiness for Renters' Rights reforms.   This network allowed LA’s access to an online community, knowledge HUB and shared best practice.    

RESOLVED that:-

1. The updated Enforcement & Regulatory Policy V7 (Housing) copy attached at Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.

2. The updated Enforcement & Regulatory Policy (Housing) will apply to offences from the point of adoption and will run alongside the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy (v6) for a transitional period to enable legacy cases to be concluded (for an approximate 6-month period).

3. Delegated authority be given to the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing & Transport to make any necessary revisions or amendments to the Enforcement & Regulatory Policy (Housing) as may be required arising from the phased implementation stages of the Renters Rights Act (a summary of the implementation stages are summarised in Appendix 2 of the report), and/or any further updates made by Government to relevant powers or regulations available to Councils to address unsafe housing conditions and protect tenants.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

Updating our existing policy is essential to ensure that the Council can meet its new statutory obligations of the Renters Rights Act.   Without an up-to-date Enforcement & Regulatory Policy (Housing) there is a risk of inconsistent enforcement, increased potential for legal challenge and a reduced ability to demonstrate compliance with statutory guidance and best practice.

Our work to improve standards and conditions in the private rented sector directly contributes to ambitions set out in the Stockton-on-Tees Plan, particularly the Healthy and Resilient Communities priority and A great place to live, work and visit.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 24 June 2026