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Proceeding contribution from Baroness Hamwee (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Monday, 16 June 2008. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee proceeding on Housing and Regeneration Bill.


Housing and Regeneration Bill

I have some amendments in this group, but first may I say how helpful it was to have the Minister’s speaking notes as well as the oral explanation? I shall make an observation rather than oblige the Minister to respond. It is a pity that the last amendment achieves something that I would support but does not say so specifically. The explanation was entirely cogent, and, as I say, we support it, but the amendment is much broader. My Amendment No. 108ZFA is a probing amendment about the involvement of the tenants. It is the same as Amendment No. 108ZBC in the last group, but I was assured that Clauses 88 and 98 apply there, and I dare say that they do here, too. Amendment No. 108ZGA would amend Clause 174 on disposals. Case 2 in Clause 174(4) deals with small disposals of a single dwelling or a principal residence. My amendment limits the exclusion so that there is no salami-slicing of properties and probes what the Government have to say about how they would protect against that. Amendment No. 108ZHA amends the clause that deals with what can be deducted from gross proceeds to get to net proceeds. As I read the clause, the regulator could decide to determine every last pound and penny. I suggest that it would be adequate and proper for the regulator to look at categories of amounts—headings—rather than at the detail of the cash spent. It may be a small matter, but it struck me as a heavy burden for everyone involved, not just for the regulator, if there had to an examination of every cent spent.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
702 c352GC 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
Subjects
Complaints Accountability Disadvantaged Accountancy Community development Credit Housing Finance Fees and charges Housing associations Housing Corporation English Partnerships Landlord and tenant Low incomes Registration Standards Voluntary organisations Regulation Social rented housing Tenants Rented housing Regeneration Secure tenancies Homes and Communities Agency
Legislation
Housing and Regeneration Bill 2007-08
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk