A new housing enforcement policy to ensure that all private housing across North Yorkshire is up to standard has been adopted.
North Yorkshire Council is now the main enforcement authority for dealing with poor private housing standards, inadequate management of private housing and the enforcement of various legal aspects of the relationship between landlords and their tenants across the county.
The creation of the new unitary council has opened up the possibility of creating one enforcement policy rather than working to the seven approaches by the previous district and borough councils.
The new approach means that there will be a new consistent way of dealing with complaints and strengthens powers to proactively tackle substandard housing. It also could mean fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliant landlords, letting agents and property managers.The private rented sector represents 18.6 per cent of all homes in the county – in 2021 that equated to 51,149 homes, 8,000 more than in 2011.
Of those properties 34.5 per cent were built pre-1900 and 51.6 per cent were constructed before 929.
A ‘state of the nation’ report delivered for the council earlier this year has provided a greater insight into locations across the county where there are higher than average concentrations of private rented accommodation, deprivation and poor health.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for housing, Cllr Simons Myers, said: “We have the opportunity to deliver a renewed focus on housing standards within the private sector as we work 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. It also gives us the ability to fine landlords, letting agents and property managers and use any income generated to further improve the service.
The council’s executive approved the new policy when they met today (Tuesday, August 20).