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Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Thursday, 2 December 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 December 2010. It was answered by Lord Stunell (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 15 December 2010 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing: Standards

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2010, Official Report, column 90W, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness in raising standards of housing of legislation passed in the period between 1997 and 2010; and what steps he has taken to improve housing standards and protect the rights of tenants.
Answer

This Government are satisfied that the current legislation achieves the right balance between the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. The previous Administration had extensive plans for the further regulation of private sector landlords, including a proposal to introduce a national register for landlords. The Government have no plans to implement those proposals as imposing new regulatory requirements on private landlords would be likely to lead to a reduction in the numbers of properties to rent, which would not help tenants or landlords. Of course, local authorities already have access to a comprehensive package of powers to deal with houses in multiple occupation and tackle the minority of rogue landlords that provide a poor service to tenants.The new Government have also made it easier for landlords letting larger properties by removing the blanket requirement introduced by the previous Administration for planning permission to change use from a family house to a small house in multiple occupation. Such changes of use can now take place freely without the need for planning applications unless there are local concerns about such development. In such cases, local planning authorities can use existing powers to remove this freedom of movement and require planning applications for such changes of use should they consider this appropriate for their areas.The Government do, however, believe that more can be done to raise the energy efficiency of the existing stock and recently announced measures through the Green Deal which will help raise housing standards in this respect. Further information with regard to this announcement can be viewed on the Department for Climate Change website.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
29282; 520 c813W
Session
2010-12
Related items
Multiple Occupation: Licensing
Monday, 5 July 2010
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Housing Standards
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk