Agenda item

Lizzie Barton (Assistant Director Resident and Business Services) and James Johnson (Regulation & Enforcement Manager) presented the report to the committee.

Members asked what assurances Cabinet and Leadership Team could give O&S that their views are seriously considered and taken on board. They recommended that O&S questions could be recorded in Cabinet reports in future.

·       Members asked if action taken against empty properties was a recent thing or had been ongoing for a while now.

Officers confirmed that the council has used a variety of different powers in the past and is now wishing to explore what further action can be done with these powers.

·       Members asked what resource there would be for Empty Homes plans.

It was agreed that resourcing would be crucial and addressed in the plans going forward.

Members requested more clarification in the report on negotiations with potentially vulnerable owners who may not have local relatives.

·       Members asked about Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) and management costs.

It was confirmed that when bringing properties up to an appropriate standard to rent, these costs are then later recovered through the rent.

Members suggested that the development team at Lichfield West Midlands Trading Service (LWMTS), could provide support on EDMOs and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs).

·       Members asked what the cost effectiveness of this policy would be.

Officers confirmed that this needs to be part of discussions moving forward and would be included in the report brought to cabinet for approval.

·       Members noted the council used to have a steering group for properties.

It was confirmed that reviving a landlord forum was being looked at, though that did not currently include the remit to examine empty properties.

·       Members asked how effective council tax rises on empty properties were in practice.

It was confirmed that the premium charged is effective, and the majority of people tend to act after being charged. Though this was of course not the case for all properties.

·       Members asked what the common reasons people left houses empty are.

Some people have emotional connections to properties they are unable to manage, or lack the time to develop them in the way they had envisioned.

·       Members asked how much time must pass before council tax premiums are put on an empty home.

Two years.

·       Members asked what mechanisms are in place to protect families who are trying to sell properties but struggling to do so.

Officers stated that they would always encourage anyone struggling with council tax payments to contact the council, and the authority will work with them to do what can be done.

Lizzie Barton confirmed the aim to get this policy approved by mid-2024 and encouraged members to continue to submit their thoughts on the policy going forward. It was confirmed that the powers had not changed, but that this policy was about better managing the pressures on this area. Officers confirmed that any draft would be brought back to O&S before being taken to Cabinet.

Members suggested the possibility of working with the private rental sector and liaising with estate agents as potentially helpful avenues to get this policy working effectively.

RESOLVED: The committee reviewed the current policy, considered best practice from across the country, and recommended changes and enhancements the council should consider when reviewing its policy and creating an action plan for the coming years.