Issue - meetings

The Housing Strategy and Development Officer presented the report to the Committee.

The Private Sector Housing Strategy 2024-2027 (the ‘Strategy’) was the Council’s first dedicated strategy aimed solely at the private sector.  It was noted that funding for the Strategy had been jointly secured with North East Derbyshire District Council.

Owner occupied and privately rented properties made up over 83.3% of homes in the District (Census 2021).

Many homes in the private sector in the District were in poor condition.

Data analysis completed as part of development of the Strategy showed that 45.8% did not meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C, and 16.3% of owner-occupied homes and 18.6% of privately rented properties failed the Decent Homes Standard for having a Category 1 hazard (which posed a serious and immediate risk to a person's health).

Following approval by Council of the Strategy in 2024, a range of activity had progressed, and the Strategy was delivered in partnership across Housing Management, Housing Options, Environmental Health, and Planning Policy.

Key achievements:

Objective 1 had included:

• Delivery of a joint Landlord Forum November 2024;
• Securing £1.2m grant funding via Warm Homes: Local Grant for delivery across the private sector (the programme targeted households with an EPC rating of D-G, combined with a low household income;
• Work had commenced on design of the new Housing Enforcement Policy (to complete end of 2025);
• New literature had been devised for damp and mould advice;
• The Council’s website was revised to include a wider range of links and advice for both private landlords and tenants on rights and responsibilities;
• DASH Services and Call Before You Serve (CB4YS) were continually promoted by the Housing Options team, particularly the Triage Officers; and,
• The renewal of a DASH Services contract.

Objective 2 was:

• Analysis of the private rented sector provision by Supported Accommodation Review Team (SART) officers – data showed good success rates placing those presenting as homeless in the privately rented sector.

Objective 3 had included:

• Development of an in-house design and contract management service for the Disabled Facilities Grant following the closure of the Derbyshire County Council (DCC) service;
• Background research completed for new minor adaptations policy; and
• DCC consultation on potential withdrawal of the Healthy Homes Project – this could lead to the need for a District level approach.

Immediate plans for future delivery:

Objective 1 had included:

• Run a Landlord Forum for 2025;
• Develop a Landlord / Agent e-bulletin;
• Complete year 1 of Warm Homes: Local Grant and secure further interest for years 2 and 3;
• Develop an Intervention Strategy to support landlords to meet the requirements of the Renters’ Rights Bill (the ‘Bill’) and help ‘myth bust’ the legislation;
• Freedom of Information contact to all Registered Providers operating in the District to establish current stock, future plans, secure access to affordable stock via additional nomination rights, and establish options for development of new affordable stock.

Objective 2 was:

• Further develop working relationships with local Landlords / Agents to create additional links to private rented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27