Agenda item

Roz Spencer and Bob Reeves Lewis, Safer Renting, made a presentation to the Committee, copy interleaved

During consideration the following main points were made –

·         Safer renting an overview – TRO tenancy advocacy provider, committed to change through research, Cambridge House support and

Sister housing law centre. 4 years operational experience in 7 London Boroughs. Funded by borough contracts and charitable core funding. Independent, social enterprise organisation

·         Strength in depth – services can include litigation friend defending against landlord claims, representation at Tribunals for civil redress, homelessness prevention, out of court settlements, client borough portal for online referrals to case management, GDPR compliant and ASQ accreditation

·         4.5 full time caseworkers

·         Current developments – COVID 19, rise in illegal evictions and harassment, HMO’s and Public Health, safer renting training by the MET

·         What local authorities can do better – adopt better data sharing to target and detect unlicensed HMO’s, work with the MET to enforce the Protection of Eviction Act and actively pursue prosecution of offenders

·         Employ a TRO service

·         Barriers to greater effectiveness – austerity has stripped Local Authorities of expertise in enforcement and tenancy rights, funding for enforcement needs to be ‘pump primed’, no duty on Police to enforce Prevention of Eviction Act. Carried out work with the Police in Waltham Forest and as a result over 1000 officers had been trained and since the training the Police had followed correct procedures

·         Weak tradition of multi-agency working, regulatory arrangements not fit for purpose

·         How could safer renting benefit – provide private tenants with access to their rights, savings on tenant advice, customisable access to expertise and capacity and ability to contribute to policy change through research

·         It was noted that it was felt that new Government legislation to increase the number of storeys on properties without planning permission would exacerbate problems with rogue landlords

·         Noted that the sentencing for illegal evictions is less than shoplifting

·         Noted that landlords tended to fit in number of categories which were easily recognisable

·         In response to a question about tracking landlords down it was stated that this could be difficult if the owner was clever in concealing his/her tracks, and the proliferation of letting agents made this more difficult. Noted that consideration was being given by the Government to hold agents responsible for offences being committed in relation to properties where applicable

·         Reference was made to other enforcement powers under the Housing Act 2004, however a multi-agency approach is needed. Trading Standards in Islington had successfully made a prosecution resulting in a fine of £11000

·         Councillor Ward referred to the Trailblazers scheme whereby Islington talked to landlords in an attempt to resolve problems before the eviction process starts and this had been successful in many instances

·         It was stated that Islington Trading Standards have attempted to work on a multi-agency basis, and that two Police officers had joined the team, and that consideration was being given with Housing to look at letting agents

·         In response to a question, it was stated that the report in relation to Safer Renting would be made available to Committee Members

The Chair thanked Roz Spencer and Ben Reeves-Lewis for their presentation and attending