NEWSROOM

As both national and local changes reshape the private rented sector, the Council is also reaffirming its commitment to protecting residents and supporting responsible landlords.

On the back of the Renters' Rights Act being rolled out nationally, the introduction of Article 4 in the Borough from next year, and continued success in bringing empty homes back into use, which is due to be shared at a future cabinet meeting, the Council is demonstrating a robust and balanced approach to housing that delivers on its commitment to protect, care and invest.

A key part of its work has been the successful Better Homes for All programme, underpinned by its commitment to educate, encourage but ultimately enforce, the Council continues to work to tackle unscrupulous landlords whose practices impact the health, wellbeing and security of tenants and neighbourhoods. 

Each year, the housing team responds to around 600 requests for support and carries out 400 inspections. This has contributed to reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour as well as improved conditions for many vulnerable tenants as part of the Council's Safer, Stronger Communities programme.

Better Homes for All sees the Council work alongside landlords as well as tenants and partner organisations to help resolve issues and targeting grants to support improvements in energy efficiency and through the Better Homes Loans.  The Council also supports compliant landlords.

The Council has achieved significant success in bringing vacant homes back into use. Over the last five years, hundreds of empty properties have been brought back into use, helping provide much-needed homes for local families while making better use of existing housing stock.

Alongside this work, the Council continues to respond to changes in national housing policy, including the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, which will strengthen protections for tenants and introduce new requirements for landlords. From December, the West Midlands will become one of the first areas where landlords will be required to register their rented properties. This will provide further intelligence to ensure stronger protection and greater confidence for renters.

Locally, the Council has confirmed the introduction of an Article 4 Direction, which will come into force in February 2027. The change means planning permission will be required for all new Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), giving the Council greater oversight of where HMOs are created and enabling the impact on local services, neighbourhoods and communities to be properly considered before decisions are made.

The new planning controls will help ensure the right housing is provided in the right locations while creating fairer standards for tenants, landlords and local communities.

The Council had also been considering the introduction of additional licensing for smaller HMOs following extensive consultation. However, the Council has paused the process until next year after a legal challenge was raised by landlords.

The position will be reviewed again in 2027, allowing time to assess the impact of both Article 4 and wider national reforms before considering any further measures to improve housing standards. 

Councillor Nathan England, Cabinet Member for Safer Streets and Better Housing, said:

"Our ambition is to lead the way nationally in raising housing standards through our firm and robust approach. It is essential that we do the right thing by our residents.

“Whether that is improving standards in the private rented sector, supporting responsible landlords, bringing empty homes back into use or tackling poor housing conditions, our focus is always on creating safe, high-quality homes and stronger communities.

"The national landscape is changing with the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, and we welcome measures that help raise standards and improve protections for tenants.

"Locally, the introduction of Article 4 will give us greater oversight of new HMOs and help ensure growth is managed appropriately for the benefit of residents, landlords and communities.

"At the same time, we have listened carefully to concerns raised by landlords about additional licensing and have taken the decision to pause those proposals for now.

"We will continue to monitor the impact of the changes already being introduced and revisit the position in 2027 as part of our ongoing commitment to improving housing standards across the Borough."