Following the commencement of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 made under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 it was necessary for the Council to update the Private Sector Housing Enforcement (PSHE) Policy and Civil Penalties and Financial Penalties Policy. 

The Council had a variety of statutory duties and powers relating to the enforcement of regulatory housing standards.  One of the principal roles was to investigate cases of potential non-compliance and apply the legislative framework.  The PSHE policy identified the practical applications of enforcement procedures used to achieve improvements to housing.

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 made under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 required electrical installations to be safe and periodically inspected. The Council could impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 for failing to do so.

Cabinet was requested to approve that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive and Head of Service - Environmental Services, Licensing and Community Safety to enforce these powers and adopt a policy for calculating a financial penalty under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.  Members welcomed this amendment and the enforcement work that was actioned under this legislation by the Environmental Health Team to improve standards in the private rented sector across the district. 

RESOLVED: That:

1)    the Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy be amended to include the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020; and

2)    delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive and Head of Service - Environmental Services, Licensing and Community Safety powers and duties under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 in relation to housing conditions and safety enforcement actions including regulations made thereunder and the imposition of financial penalties with reference to the Council’s Civil Penalties and Financial Penalties Policy.

(Councillors Ganly, Osborne, Prochak and Vine-Hall each declared a Personal Interest in this matter as landlords and in accordance with the Code of Conduct remained in the room during the consideration thereof).