Enhanced Enforcement Area (EEA)

What is it?

Glasgow City Council secured enforcement powers under Section 28(2) of the Housing Scotland Act 2014 to tackle housing conditions and improve regulation in the private rented sector in the Govanhill area of Glasgow. Following these powers being granted, an Enhanced Enforcement Area was designated to 4 blocks within South West Govanhill in September 2015.

Glasgow City Council recently applied for a further 14 blocks within the Govanhill area to be designated as an Enhanced Enforcement Area and the request has been agreed by the Scottish Government.

How does this affect Landlords?

The extension of the EEA designation will apply for a minimum period of 5 years and comprises of an additional 14 blocks bounded by Calder Street, Victoria Road, Dickson Avenue and Cathcart Road. There will be a phased implementation of the powers across the 14 blocks.

In addition to the powers conferred on the council under the Landlord Registration and HMO Licensing schemes the council will have the following discretionary powers:

• A right of entry to any property within the designated area
• The right to request an enhanced criminal record certificate from any relevant person
• To ask landlords to provide evidence of a current building insurance policy including evidence that premiums are paid up to date, energy performance certificate for the property and gas safety certificates.
• Request from the landlord a copy of an acknowledgement from the tenant(s) that they have received a Tenant Information Pack.

The council also has third party reporting powers to the Housing and Property Chamber where properties fail to meet the repairing standard (which is the minimum standard private rented accommodation must meet) and new regulations have come into force in connection with carbon monoxide alarms and electrical safety.