Agenda item

Lease Enforcement Issues - Short Term Holiday lets

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of lease enforcement issues and, particularly, short term holiday lets.  Members noted that this report had been presented to the RCC on 7th September 2015.  At this meeting, Members had expressed their unanimous commitment and support to the Barbican Estate Office and encouraged all residents to be vigilant in providing evidence. Residents also unanimously supported the approach, as set out in the report, in respect of the action plan and lease enforcement process that officers would be taking forward.  Residents had also felt that the proposal and action plan were achievable and fair. 

 

During the discussion on this item, the following matters were raised/noted:

 

  • Members were very pleased that that the satisfactory outcome had resulted from residents and officers working in partnership. 

 

  • Some long leaseholders were not aware of the actions of their short term tenants in respect of short term holiday lets. 

 

  • Enforcement action had been taken twice in the last 6-12 months, in respect of breaches from fitting wooden floors and keeping pets. 

 

  • The initial letter to residents in June highlighted the relevant clauses in the Lease and the enforcement action which would follow at stages 1, 2 and 3.  Members were assured that action would be taken in the event of evidence of genuine nuisance and that the process would be fair and equitable. 

 

  • Taking out an injunction as a lesser sanction, rather than forfeiture, would be just as onerous and require almost the same level of evidence.

 

  • Officers are working on a document, entitled:  ‘Ten reasons why you should not rent out your property on a short term holiday let’; setting out the various pitfalls, such as invalidating insurance policies.

 

  • Members noted that the Estate Office were aware of 3 incidents of short term lettings but there had been no contact with either the Police or Environmental Health Services. 

 

  • The car parking and concierge staff had been briefed and some evidence had already been forthcoming. 

 

RESOLVED, that:

 

1.     The report and comments from the RCC Members be noted.

 

2.     The approach and proposals, as set out in the report, be endorsed. 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: