Decision details

Approval to use Housing Benefit Transition Funding and Establishing a Landlord Accreditation Scheme

The Cabinet considered the joint report of the Director of Built Environment  and the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT seeking approval to the use of Housing Benefit Transition Funding to establish a new Private Landlord Accreditation scheme in Sefton.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Decisions Made:

(1)       approval be given to the use of Housing Benefit Transition resources to fund the establishment of a Landlord Accreditation scheme, and enhance financial advice services to assist clients adversely affected by changes to housing benefit regulations; and

(2)       approval be given to an Agreement being entered into with Wirral Borough Council to help establish a Landlord Accreditation scheme, at an estimated cost of £28,000.

Reasons for Decisions:

While there is a clear need and justification for establishing an Accreditation scheme, there are resource implications. While potential Housing Benefit Transition Fund resources have been identified to help establish a scheme, Officers need to alert Members to the resource implications which would arise in future years in retaining and operating a scheme. Officers do not have authority to enter into such a commitment.

The Government’s intention is that the Housing Benefit Transition Fund is used to target support to help meet the housing needs of claimants affected by Housing Benefit changes. Funding would be used to enhance financial advice services to assist clients adversely affected by changes to housing benefit regulations. A holistic service would be provided in One Stop Shops in Bootle and Southport by training selected staff to provide advice on benefits, money and debt and finding employment.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

There was no obligation on the Council to establish a Landlord Accreditation scheme.  Consequently, the options were to either pursue the establishment of a scheme or not.  If the Council chose to pursue establishing a scheme, the feasibility report provided further options on how this could be taken forward.