North Yorkshire Council has adopted a new housing enforcement policy to ensure all private rental properties across the county are up to scratch, one of a growing number of large councils to so.

It heralds a consistent way of dealing with complaints and creates stronger powers to proactively tackle substandard housing - and could mean fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliant landlords, letting agents and property managers.

The council has also announced plans to consider extending selective licensing across North Yorkshire to help improve housing conditions; there is already a scheme running in some areas of Scarborough.

Poor standards

North Yorkshire Council was created last April after the former county council and seven district and borough authorities merged into a single unitary authority. It will now be the main authority for dealing with poor standards, inadequate management of private housing and enforcement.

The council explains that it currently operates different enforcement policies within the seven district areas of North Yorkshire, and some functions can’t be delivered in all areas as they weren’t previously adopted by the borough and districts.

The new policy includes the Housing Standards enforcement policy, Electrical Safety Regulations Financial Penalties policy, Civil Penalties policy, Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards policy, Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations policy, Rent Repayments Orders policy, and the approach to fees and charges and penalties where enforcement action is needed.

Executive member for housing, councillor Simons Myers (pictured), says it can deliver a renewed focus on housing standards within the private sector as it works towards a more preventative service.

“A new policy will give us a balanced approach to housing enforcement work and ensure that privately rented homes are well managed, properly maintained, safe and habitable,” adds Myers. “It also gives us the ability to fine landlords, letting agents and property managers and use any income generated to further improve the service.”

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