Decision details

The Head of Public Protection provided Members with a detail account of the effectiveness of the 2014 Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and continued by proposing that the Council declare a New Additional Licensing Scheme for HMOs from April 2019, in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Act 2004.

Members were advised of the consultation undertaken and a summary of the responses received was provided which demonstrated there was significant support for the declaration of a new Scheme.  Members were also advised of the  scrutiny undertaken of the additional licensing scheme by the Health & WellBeing Scrutiny Committee. 

The officer advised that the evaluation of the 2014 Additional Licensing Scheme shows the positive impact that the licensing regime has had on HMO standards, however she acknowledged that  there was clear evidence of the need for ongoing regulation of the sector to protect tenants from poor housing standards and to protect communities from the adverse impact of poorly managed HMOs.

The Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Well-being & Cultural Services commented on the need for HMOs within the County Borough and the changing needs for residents and added that in light of this it was important that as a Council the Cabinet ensures that the highest quality of housing is available across all sector providers.  He thanked those who participated within the consultation and the local Member for Treforest for his representation and commented that the feedback was positive for an additional licensing scheme to be introduced.  He spoke of the findings witnessed with 97%of properties subject to an application for a HMO licence found to be non-compliant with the legal requirements, adding that such statistics demonstrated why the additional scheme was needed.

Both the Leader and Deputy Leader spoke in support of the proposed additional licensing scheme adding on the need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents and commented on the need to review the fee arrangements currently in place.

At this point in the meeting County Borough Councillor S Powderhill spoke on the item.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the findings of the Evaluation of the 2014 Additional HMO Licensing Scheme in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

2.    To note the feedback from the Health and Well-being Scrutiny Committee held on 9^th October 2018 and the actions taken in response, as detailed in paragraph 5.2 and 5.5 of the report.

3.    To approve the declaration of a New Additional Licensing Scheme for HMOs in Rhondda Cynon Taf, to come into force when the current scheme ends on the 31^st March 2019 and instruct officers to make the necessary arrangements in accordance with the provisions of the Housing Act 2004.

4.    To approve the continued inclusion of all types of HMO within the scope of the new Scheme.

5.    To approve the standard licensing conditions to be placed on all HMO licences granted by the Council under both the Mandatory Licensing Scheme, and the new Additional Licensing Scheme from April 2019 (in addition to any bespoke conditions relevant to individual licences).

6.    To Instruct the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services to develop a specific Strategy to promote and improve the Private Rented Housing Sector in RCT, for future consideration by Cabinet.