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Agenda item

Private Sector Housing and Mobile Homes Sites policy update.

Purpose:

To approve the updated Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy and Mobile Homes Sites Policy.

 

Recommendation(s):

That Cabinet resolves to:

  1. Approve the Private Sector Housing Strategy as set out in Annex A;
  2. Approve the Mobile Homes Policy as set out in Annex B;
  3. Approve the setting of Fees for applications for Fit and Proper Person Assessment and the annual fee for any monitoring required.

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to ask Cabinet to consider and renew the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy and Mobile Homes Policy.

 

Councillor Andrea Pellegram, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory Services, introduced the report, which presented updated Private Sector Housing policies covering Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and Mobile Homes site licensing.

 

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Andrea Pellegram and seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson. 

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Approved the Private Sector Housing Strategy as set out in Annex A;

2.    Approved the Mobile Homes Policy as set out in Annex B;

3.    Approved the setting of Fees for applications for Fit and Proper Person Assessment and the annual fee for any monitoring required.

 

Voting Record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

 

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to ask Cabinet to consider and renew the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy and Mobile Homes Policy.

 

Councillor Andrea Pellegram, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory Services, introduced the report, which presented updated Private Sector Housing policies covering Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and Mobile Homes site licensing.

Councillor Pellegram thanked officers, particularly Paul Lankester, for their work.

 

It was noted that the Cotswold District Council Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy, had last been updated in 2013 and that the new version was required revision to reflect administrative and legislative changes.

The revisions reflected these changes, including new mobile homes regulation and the Renters Rights Act 2025. The policies aligned with the Council’s Housing Strategy, Enforcement Policy and Long-Term Empty Homes Strategy, and set out commitments to improving private housing conditions, working with partners to maintain standards, supporting the return of long-term empty homes to use, and addressing unlicensed HMOs.

 

The policy aimed to ensure residents lived in safe, compliant homes, primarily within the private rented sector, and sought to work with landlords to improve housing standards. Councillor Pellegram also referenced the 2023 English Housing Survey, noting that 10.2% of private rented homes nationally were non-decent, while in the Cotswolds the figure was 9.5%, and emphasised the Council’s commitment to reducing this. The requirement to maximise the stock of private rented housing by bringing empty homes back into use was highlighted, noting that 921 properties were currently vacant, many long-term. Councillor Pellegram further noted that there were an estimated 54 larger HMOs requiring registration and reiterated previous Cabinet decisions to work with landlords of licensable HMOs and issue civil penalties if necessary.

 

It was noted that the Mobile Homes Policy updated regulation of residential mobile home parks, introduced new fees for registering fit and proper persons and site licences, and established a Council-maintained register of fit and proper persons managing these sites. Councillor Pellegram recommended that Cabinet support both policies as important measures for the protection of residents.

 

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and praised the updated policies, noting:

·         The importance of properly regulating residential mobile home parks, particularly for vulnerable and elderly residents.  

·         Practical issues, such as elderly residents struggling to manage waste disposal.

·         Officers explained that during the winter months inspections would focus on residential parks, with non-compliance first addressed by giving operators the opportunity to remedy issues, followed by compliance notices if necessary, in line with the Council’s enforcement policy.

·         While licensing was required for holiday and touring sites, legislation did not allow the Council to charge a licence fee, except for residential parks. It was noted that this meant the Council bore the cost of regulating holiday parks and it was suggested that a letter could be sent to the relevant minister to request legislative change.

 

Councillor Tristan Wilkinson seconded the proposal and supported the focus on residential mobile homes, noting that residents often felt underrepresented and marginalised, with limited access to services. Councillor Patrick Coleman added that park homes provided low-cost housing in the countryside and could contribute towards housing targets.

 

Cabinet Members expressed support for the policy updates, noting the practical benefits for residents and the importance of effective regulation, and proceeded to the vote on the recommendations proposed by Councillor Andrea Pellegram and seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson.

The proposal was put to the vote and agreed by Cabinet.

 

Voting Record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Supporting documents:

 

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