Found: As a result, we support provisions in the Renters’ Rights Bill to tackle discrimination against those

Found: We have welcomed a provision in the Renters’ Rights Bill that you could look at regulation of temporary

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to increase the (a) affordability and (b) availability of housing for young people.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

With regard to the supply of social and affordable housing, I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024.

To support first-time buyers, the Government has committed to introducing a permanent, comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme and to giving first-time buyers the first chance to buy homes.

The Renters' Rights Bill will provide more security for tenants and empower them to challenge poor practice and unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases without fear of eviction.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to end rental bidding wars by landlords and letting agents (a) nationally and (b) in Beckenham and Penge constituency.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will prohibit rental bidding practices.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to tackle landlords charging high up-front rent payments.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government have long recognised that demands for extortionate rent in advance place a considerable financial strain on tenants and can exclude certain groups from renting altogether. We are very clear that the practice of landlords demanding large amounts of rent in advance must be prohibited.

Although it might be argued that the interaction of the new rent periods in clause 1 of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which are a month or 28 days, and the existing provisions of the Tenant Fees Act 2019, relating to prohibited payments, provide a measure of protection against requests for large amounts of advance rent, the government believe there is a strong case for putting this matter beyond doubt. I am giving careful consideration as to how best that might be achieved through the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that private homes are safe for elderly people.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government provides the Disabled Facilities Grant, a capital grant administered by local authorities that can help pay the cost of adapting eligible disabled and older people’s homes, regardless of tenure, to allow them to live safely and independently. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide adaptations for people who satisfy a needs assessment, eligibility criteria and a means test. An additional £86 million for the DFG for 2025-26 was announced in the Budget, bringing the total to £711 million.

We are also taking action to improve standards within the private rented sector in England through the Renters’ Rights Bill, including through introducing the Decent Homes Standard to the sector for the first time. We are also applying ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. All elderly people should be able to live in a safe and decent home and these changes will have a positive impact on improving the health and wellbeing of older tenants.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to (a) prevent landlords from not considering prospective tenants that have pets and (b) support people with pets to find somewhere to rent.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters' Rights Bill will prevent landlords from unreasonably denying tenants' requests to keep pets. Once a landlord has consented to a pet, it will be an implied term of that tenancy and so consent cannot be withdrawn without agreement from both parties. We believe that by strengthening tenants' rights, we will see an increase in pet-friendly properties and a positive shift in landlords' attitudes to pet ownership.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that tenants with permission to keep pets are able to keep those pets throughout their tenancy.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters' Rights Bill will prevent landlords from unreasonably denying tenants' requests to keep pets. Once a landlord has consented to a pet, it will be an implied term of that tenancy and so consent cannot be withdrawn without agreement from both parties. We believe that by strengthening tenants' rights, we will see an increase in pet-friendly properties and a positive shift in landlords' attitudes to pet ownership.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6735 on Temporary Accommodation: Costs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential savings to local government in respect of temporary accommodation costs of (a) the end of section 21 evictions and (b) the wider provisions in the Renters' Rights Bill.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will provide more security for vulnerable renters who face potential homelessness due to the service of a section 21 notice. Removing no fault evictions will have an immediate impact on preventing homelessness, as section 21 notices account for 8% of the reasons households became homeless in 2023-24.

The government submitted the Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 16 September 2024 to the Regulatory Policy Committee. The government will publish the Impact Assessment in due course. In line with usual practice, the government will always consider the impact of any policies when taking the legislation through Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect renters as availability of rental properties decreases.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The private rented sector has doubled in size since 2002 and is now the second largest housing tenure. 4.6 million households rent privately, which is equivalent to 11 million people and 19% of the housing market – remaining relatively stable at this level since 2013-14.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will give all renters greater security and protections, cracking down on the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit, mistreat or discriminate against tenants.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to publish guidance on the circumstances in which permission to keep a pet may be unreasonably refused under the Renters' Rights Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Yes, the government will provide guidance to help both landlords and tenants understand the new regulations and will maintain ongoing communication with the rental sector to address any concerns.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6378 on Multiple Occupation, what plans her Department has for the future regulation of housing in multiple occupation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders.

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities.

We will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that landlords of houses in multiple occupancy comply with all relevant regulations.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) comply with all relevant regulations. This includes powers to issue civil penalties, prosecute landlords and obtain banning orders.

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces reforms to improve the regulation of private rented sector properties, including HMOs, and drive-up standards within the sector. This includes a Decent Homes Standard and new enforcement powers for local authorities.

We will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to improve accessible housing for disabled people in the private rental market.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Everyone deserves to live in a secure, decent, and accessible home in which they feel safe. The Renters’ Rights Bill, by ending Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, will also provide all tenants with greater security and stability and empower them to challenge bad practice without fear of retaliatory eviction. Disabled people in all housing tenures can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant to adapt their home to enable them to live safely and independently.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of removing fixed-term assured tenancies.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will remove fixed-term assured tenancies. Fixed-term tenancies mean renters are obliged to pay rent regardless of whether a property is up-to-standard, and they reduce flexibility to move in response to changing circumstances. Instead all tenancies will be periodic, with tenants able to give two months’ notice at any point.

The Government submitted the Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 16 September 2024 to the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Government will publish the impact assessment in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the causes of the rise in homelessness as published on 3 October in the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government's report Statutory homelessness in England: financial year 2023–24.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The statistics published on 3 October shows that the most common reason for loss of accommodation for households threatened with homelessness was termination of a private rented assured shorthold tenancy (AST). For households that were already homeless, the most common reason was that their family or friends were no longer willing or able to accommodate them. The Renters’ Rights Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions for both new and existing tenancies at the same time, giving all private renters immediate security and assurance.

The Government will look at these issues carefully and will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness once and for all.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans her Department has to ensure that a regulatory impact assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill will include an assessment of that Bill's (a) cumulative potential impact on and (b) potential interaction with the (i) changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for the private renter sector announced on 23 September 2024 and (ii) technical detail of the Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government submitted the Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 16 September 2024 to the Regulatory Policy Committee and we will publish it in due course. The Government has announced its intention to publish a consultation on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector by the end of the year. Measures to set a decent home standard in the Private Rented Sector are included in the Renters’ Rights Bill and we have made clear we intend to consult on this. The impacts for private landlords will be considered in the respective Impact Assessments.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans she has to reform the court system in the light of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Answered by Heidi Alexander - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Renters Rights Bill will abolish section 21 (Housing Act 1988, no fault evictions) and amend the existing section 8 grounds, which will affect the County Court. Courts currently handle section 8 claims, however, legislative changes to section 8 that impact court processes or procedures will be subject to the necessary changes by the relevant Procedure Rule Committee.

The Government has also committed to digitise the court possession service, making it simpler and easier for landlords and tenants to use.

The Bill will also have an impact on the work of the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. My officials are working with those in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to fully understand the implications and to identify the resources required to deal with cases as they arise.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for the commencement of the Renters’ Rights Bill and the passage of associated secondary legislation, including any planned differences for the application of (a) new and (b) existing tenancies.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Following Royal Assent of the Renters’ Rights Bill, the Government will implement the new system as soon as possible. The abolition of section 21 and the introduction of the new tenancy system will be applied to new and existing tenancies simultaneously. This approach will support tenants, landlords and agents to adjust to and understand the new rules, while making sure that tenants can benefit from the new system quickly. We will provide more details about our implementation plans and timetables during the passage of the Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure the clarity of guidance on what justifies a landlord refusing a pet request.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters' Rights Bill requires landlords not to unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, with the tenant able to challenge a decision. The government will issue detailed guidance in due course to help landlords and tenants understand the new rules.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent discrimination against prospective tenants with pets.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters' Rights Bill requires landlords not to unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, with the tenant able to challenge a decision. The government will issue detailed guidance in due course to help landlords and tenants understand the new rules.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to help ensure tenants are aware of new rights created through the Renters' Rights Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government intends to publish accessible guidance so that tenants understand their rights and responsibilities under the new system. This will be supported by a communications campaign designed to raise awareness about the changes. We will also work with local authorities and advice providers like Shelter and Citizens Advice to further raise awareness of the reforms and make sure adequate support is in place.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills published on 23 September 2024, what account the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards will take of the Renters' Rights Bill.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We have announced our intention to publish consultations on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector and the social rented sector by the end of the year.

DESNZ and MHCLG are working closely together to take account of the impact of MEES and the Renters’ Rights Bill on the private and social rented sectors. The impact of potential changes to the wider policy landscape for private and social landlords will be considered in the respective Impact Assessments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of allowing tenants in rented properties on working farms to have pets on (a) farm safety and (b) biosecurity.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters' Rights Bill requires landlords not to unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, with the tenant able to challenge a decision. The government will issue detailed guidance in due course to help landlords and tenants understand the new rules.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the ability of local authorities to (a) take enforcement action against private sector landlords leaving private tenants with dangerous disrepair and (b) bring related prosecutions.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities have powers to tackle hazardous conditions in private rented housing, including being able to issue landlords with improvement notices. Non-compliance with local authority enforcement action is a criminal offence.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, currently before Parliament, will strengthen these powers and support local authorities to enforce effectively. The Bill will introduce a new civil penalty of up to £7,000 where private landlords have failed to keep their properties free of dangerous hazards and applies a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time. The Bill also introduces a new Private Rented Sector Database which will enable local authorities to quickly identify landlords and better target enforcement.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has received representations on the potential effect of proposed private renters legislation on the student accommodation market, and what steps her Department has taken to support that market.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces a new mandatory ground which will allow landlords renting Houses of Multiple Occupation to full time students to seek possession ahead of each new academic year, facilitating the ongoing yearly cycle of short-term student tenancies while ensuring students can benefit from the increased security and flexibility our reforms will create. The department has engaged with a range of stakeholders in the student accommodation market and will continue to do so.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 28 March 2024 to Question 19849 on Private Rented Housing: Registration, whether her Department the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service have a joint plan for improvements to the county court possession process.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My department is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service to ensure that the county courts are ready for the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) section 21 evictions and (b) the provisions in the Renters' Rights Bill on (i) temporary accommodation costs and (ii) local authority finances.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Once enacted, the Bill will ensure that local authorities owe a homelessness prevention duty to a tenant evicted under section 8 grounds. This will enable tenants to maintain access to support to prevent homelessness, in line with the principles of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. We will carry out a new burdens assessment and will fund local authorities for any additional costs.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Renter's Rights Bill on tackling unaffordable requests for rent in advance.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognise that requests for large amounts of rent in advance can put financial strain on tenants and can exclude certain groups from renting all together. We want to ensure that the Renters’ Rights Bill protects renters against such demands, and we will keep the matter under review as the Bill progresses.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a (a) regulatory impact assessment, (b) equality impact assessment, (c) family test assessment and (d) environmental principles assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government submitted the Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 16 September 2024 to the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Government will publish the impact assessment in due course. In line with usual practice, the Government will always consider the impact of any policies when taking the legislation through Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she made an assessment of the potential merits of publishing a regulatory impact assessment of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government submitted the Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 16 September 2024 to the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Government will publish the impact assessment in due course. In line with usual practice, the Government will always consider the impact of any policies when taking the legislation through Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) quality and (b) adequacy of the regulation of houses in multiple occupation in the private rented sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are subject to mandatory licensing in properties where five or more persons in two or more households share facilities. Local authorities also have the power to introduce additional licensing for smaller HMOs which are home to three or four people from two or more households who share facilities. All HMOs, even those that do not require a licence, must also comply with HMO management regulations.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will improve standards in the private rented sector. In particular, it will introduce a Decent Homes Standard to the PRS for the first time, which will set a minimum standard for all housing in the sector, including HMOs.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) end Section 21 evictions and (b) support tenants facing eviction under a Section 21 notice before that time.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government introduced the Renters’ Rights Bill on Wednesday 11 September. It delivers on our manifesto commitment to overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector, including by abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

We want to see tenants benefit from these reforms as quickly as possible. We have therefore determined to introduce the new tenancy system for the private rented sector in one stage. Upon the commencement date, the new tenancy system will apply to all private tenancies – existing tenancies will become periodic, and any new tenancies will be governed by the new rules.

Tenants facing eviction and threatened with homelessness as a result of being served a Section 21 notice should contact their local council, who if satisfied the applicant is threatened with homelessness and eligible must take reasonable steps to help them secure appropriate accommodation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how long landlords and letting agents will need to take to prepare for, and update processes, when section 21 repossessions end.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is delivering its manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting by levelling the playing field decisively between landlords and tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill will replace section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions with a modern tenancy system, giving renters greater security and protections.

The Government welcomes private investment into housing, and new tenures in the private rented sector such as those offered by Build to Rent providers. These can provide tenants with greater stability and more choice. The Department will continue to engage – and work – with the Build to Rent sector to understand their needs in the process of designing any regulation.

The department will publish an impact assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill in due course. We will work closely with all parts of the sector to ensure a smooth transition to the new system and will provide sufficient notice ahead of implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact that ending fixed term tenancies in the private rented sector will have on lending to (1) individual residential landlords, and (2) build-to-rent developers.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is delivering its manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting by levelling the playing field decisively between landlords and tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill will replace section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions with a modern tenancy system, giving renters greater security and protections.

The Government welcomes private investment into housing, and new tenures in the private rented sector such as those offered by Build to Rent providers. These can provide tenants with greater stability and more choice. The Department will continue to engage – and work – with the Build to Rent sector to understand their needs in the process of designing any regulation.

The department will publish an impact assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill in due course. We will work closely with all parts of the sector to ensure a smooth transition to the new system and will provide sufficient notice ahead of implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the level of availability of pet-friendly accommodation in the private rental sector; and whether her Department is taking steps to increase the availability of pet-friendly accommodation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In 2021, the English Private Landlord Survey showed that almost half of landlords were unwilling to let to tenants with pets. The Government wants to ensure more tenants can experience the benefits of pet ownership – including the benefits to mental and physical health. The Renters’ Rights Bill will give tenants the right to request a pet and ensure landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent. Landlords will be required to respond to any requests by a tenant to keep a pet within 28 days, instead of the 42 that had been proposed by the previous Government. Tenants will be able to challenge unfair decisions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce annual limits to in-tenancy rent increases linked to (a) inflation and (b) real median income growth.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has no plans to do so. Our recently introduced Renters’ Rights Bill includes provisions designed to empower private renters to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of requests for payment of several months rent in advance before securing a tenancy on the ability of people to find housing in the private rented sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are currently monitoring the practice of landlords charging rent in advance to understand the impacts on tenants and will take action if necessary.

The Government is committed to redressing the balance between landlord and tenant. The Renters’ Rights Bill will provide tenants with greater protections against unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases and put an end to rental bidding wars which unfairly pits tenants against each other.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of her proposed regulatory changes on the private rented sector in relation to (a) the level of rents for new tenancies and (b) the supply of homes available on the market for private rent.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

An impact assessment for the regulatory changes proposed in the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill will be published in the usual way.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on build to rent; and what assessment she has made of the impact of her policies on private rented sector regulation on future investment in the build to rent sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is supportive of the Build to Rent sector and wants it to grow further. We do not expect our forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill to have a destabilising effect on the rental market and will continue to work with good landlords and their representative associations throughout implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of recent trends in the number of Section 21 notices that have been issued in (a) the UK, (b) the North West and (c) Runcorn and Helsby Constituency.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Figures relating to Section 21 eviction proceedings in individual constituencies in England are not held by the department, but we know that chronic insecurity in the private rented sector in the North West have real-life consequences for individuals and families. Tenants across England will benefit from the measures in the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, including the abolition of Section 21 evictions.

Housing policy is devolved in Scotland and Wales.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to help ensure landlords do not leave the rental market.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government values the contribution made by responsible landlords who provide quality homes to their tenants and believes they must enjoy robust grounds for possession where there is good reason to take their property back.

However, we are determined to level decisively the playing field between landlords and private tenants by providing the latter with greater security, rights and protections and cracking down on the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit, mistreat or discriminate against renters.

We do not expect our forthcoming Renters’ Rights Bill to have a destabilising effect on the rental market and will continue to work with good landlords and their representative associations throughout implementation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to enable local authorities to bring in rent controls for people in the private rented sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government does not support the introduction of rent controls. We have made clear that we intend to use the Renters’ Rights Bill to provide tenants with greater protections against unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to prevent bidding wars in the private rented sector; and when she plans to bring forward the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to bring forward a Renters’ Rights Bill as a priority. The Bill will decisively level the playing field between landlord and tenant by providing renters with greater security, rights and protections and we will crack down on the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit, mistreat or discriminate against tenants.

The Bill will introduce new laws that will prohibit the practice of rental bidding, which unfairly pit tenants against one another.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent private rented landlords from seeking rents above the advertised price.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to bring forward a Renters’ Rights Bill as a priority. The Bill will decisively level the playing field between landlord and tenant by providing renters with greater security, rights and protections and we will crack down on the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit, mistreat or discriminate against tenants.

The Bill will introduce new laws that will prohibit the practice of rental bidding, which unfairly pit tenants against one another.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the average increase in rent for private properties in High Peak constituency in the last 12 months; and what assessment she has made of the affordability of rent increases for people on average earnings in High Peak constituency.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has made clear that we intend to use the Renters’ Rights Bill to provide tenants with greater protections against unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data on the average increase in rent. Private rents across the UK increased by 8.6% in the 12 months to June 2024 (provisional estimate), down from 8.7% in the 12 months to May 2024. The average monthly private rent in High Peak was £850 in June 2024. This was an increase from £780 in June 2023, a 8.9% rise.

The Government appreciates that housing costs are likely a households highest monthly expense. In 2022-23, housing costs took an average of 37% of private tenants’ income, in comparison to 32% for social renters and 18% for owner occupiers.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a tenancy support duty for possessions proceedings for the private rented sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Renters’ Rights Bill will support quicker, cheaper resolution when there are disputes, preventing them escalating to court. A new ombudsman service for the private rented sector will provide fair, impartial and binding resolution to both landlords and tenants.

My department will continue to work alongside the Ministry of Justice to explore options for pre-action resolution, to help ensure that only cases which need adjudication come to court.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has for (a) restrictions on rent increases and (b) other rent controls in the domestic private rented sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government does not support the introduction of rent controls. We have made clear that we intend to use the Renters’ Rights Bill to provide tenants with greater protections against unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for banning Section 21 evictions.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July, the Government will bring forward a Renters’ Rights Bill as a priority. The Bill will level decisively the playing field between landlord and tenant and end Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

Found: Renters' Rights Bill 2024-25

Found: ’ Rights Bill.10 The Renters’ Rights Bill aims “to give greater rights and protections to people renting

Found: This includes evidence -based analysis of issues related to the Renters’ Rights Bill, which had its

Found: This measure will be included in the Renters Rights Bill, announced in The King’s Speech 2024 .

Found: Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished through the Renters’ Rights Bill, immediately putting

Found: From introducing our Renters’ Rights Bill and our Employment Rights Bill, and developing our Race Equality

Found: The Renters’ Rights Bill returns to Parliament today and will be debated for the first time by MPs as

Found: will be brought forward this autumn, and protections will be extended to private rented sector through Renters

Found: Our Renters’ Rights Bill will put an end to bad practices, such as landlords and letting agents forcing

Found: The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced to Parliament today, will ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for

Found: Bills which will apply in Scotland: Renters Rights Bill [only in respect of discrimination against tenants

Found: Guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill

Found: Renters’ Rights Bill: statement from the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC)

Found: Our Renters’ Rights Bill will put an end to bad practices, such as landlords and letting agents forcing

Found: the King’ s Speech that legislation will be introduced to give greater rights to renters through the Renters

Found: ’ Rights Bill ................................ ................................ ....................

Found: Scottish Government Product Regulation and Metrology Bill 24 September 2024 Consent not recommended Renters