Private Rented Sector Strategy Consultation

Overview

Birmingham residents are more reliant on the private rented sector than ever before. We want to make sure everyone lives in a safe, secure and energy efficient home, while landlords feel supported in delivering professional accommodation services that are of a good standard.  

To assist with the achievement of this aim, the Council has produced a Private Rented Sector Strategy, a copy of which can be downloaded by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. The strategy identifies seven key priorities and sets out what actions the council will do to meet these.

The proposed priorities for the strategy are:

• Increase the supply of safe and secure accommodation by bringing empty homes back into use and delivery of our Empty Homes Strategy.

• Identify and implement local initiatives to address local issues including consideration of selective and/or additional licencing, and issues relating to exempt accommodation.

• Tackle disrepair and criminality – building on our partnership work, the role of the enforcement team, risk-based intervention (HHSRS), use of civil penalties, criminal prosecutions, proceeds of crime, rogue landlord database and providing a tenant’s “Charter of Rights”.

• Prevent illegal eviction and harassment – to support the Councils early intervention and prevention priorities.

• Improve the energy efficiency of Birmingham homes, tackle fuel poverty, and reduce carbon emissions by supporting grant schemes and advising/signposting both tenants and landlords to support organisations thus supporting improvements in some of the most energy inefficient homes in the city.

• Operate a high-quality mandatory Houses of Multiple Occupation licensing scheme to ensure shared accommodation is safe and provides appropriate facilities to occupiers. Support a range of supportive accreditation, participate and facilitate landlord forums, offer training and website tools, tackling rogue landlords and joined up approach across the council other parts of council and partners.

• Seek to influence Government and national regulatory agencies to enhance relevant legislation and regulation by proactively engaging in the national conversation and seeking improvement to relevant legislation.

There are a number of existing strategies that this strategy will work alongside with.  Below is a list of the most related strategies along with a link to each document.

- Private Sector Empty Property Strategy 2019-2024 www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/963/empty_property_strategy_2019_to_2024

- Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2017+ www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/download/598/birmingham_homelessness_prevention_strategy_2017

- Birmingham City Council Plan 2018-2022 www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/download/2619/birmingham_city_council_council_plan_2018_to_2022

- Regulation and Enforcement – Enforcement Policy www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/405/regulation_and_enforcement_-_enforcement_policy

- Housing Birmingham – Birmingham: A Great Place to Live www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/16870/ebd48_housing_birmingham_birmingham_a_great_place_to_live_2017

- Working Together in Birmingham’s Neighbourhoods  www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/11839/working_together_in_birminghams_neighbourhoods_white_paper

Why your views matter

Housing is a key priority for Birmingham residents and the City Council, and it plays a significant part in all our lives. The location, type, and quality of the homes in which we live has a major impact on the rest of our lives.  We therefore urge you to consider our proposals carefully.