Cornwall council consults on PRS regulation
Cornwall Council asks for agents, landlords and tenants for input in its consultation as the latest local authority to begin a process of local PRS regulation.
Local authorities are applying their own form of regulation on a creeping basis around the country, in lieu of a national framework.
Cornwall Council is the latest local government body to take the initiative in imposing its own controls over the private rental sector in its area.
The council is asking for views on how it uses enforcement powers “to regulate the condition of privately rented housing.”
The Neg reported in November 2021 how Leicester City Council is introducing swingeing controls on HMOs in its locality and how Westminster Council rowed back on its new regulatory framework for HMOs in London.
Cornwall Council says that it is updating its Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy to incorporate new legislation and to ensure that its enforcement approach remains effective.
On its website, Cornwall Council says, “All are welcome to take part in the consultation, which will run until Friday, May 27. We would particularly like to hear from private sector tenants, private landlords, lettings agents, landlord and tenant associations, social housing providers, purpose-built student accommodation providers and student unions.”
• Plans to restrict the duration of House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences when a dwelling does not have the required planning permission in place.
• The introduction of a criminal record check for HMO licence applicants to bring property licensing in line with other council administered licensing schemes and offer greater protection for occupiers against rogue landlord behaviour.
• How the council intends to regulate houses that fail to meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
• Increased service provision relating to illegal evictions.
• How the council will discharge its responsibilities for issuing different types of penalty notices.
• Changes to the licensed HMO Amenity Standard.
As previously reported, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says managing licensing schemes are local decisions and that the process and procedures for doing this, are set out in the Housing Act 2004.
