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Written question asked by Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 23 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 (named day). It was answered by Matthew Pennycook (Labour) on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Social Rented Housing

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changing the rules which prevent families from bidding for social houses that have too few bedrooms on waiting times for social housing.

Answer

The government expects registered providers of social housing to develop solutions that make best use of their stock.

When framing the rules which determine the size of property to allocate to different households and in different circumstances, local housing authorities are free to set their own criteria, provided they do not result in a household being statutorily overcrowded.

As announced in our National Plan to End Homelessness in December last year, we will work with stakeholders to review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and effectively support vulnerable households.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
108117
Session
2024-26
Related items
A National Plan to End Homelessness
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Eligibility Waiting lists Social rented housing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk