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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether, as the Private Rented Sector Database introduced in the Renters' Rights Act 2025 is rolled out regionally, provision has been made for inspections to take place to verify the information provided by landlords.

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

We are working closely with local councils to support them in using the information that will be provided by the Private Rented Sector Database in their enforcement activities. Through guidance we will encourage local councils to verify the information recorded on the Database and carry out enforcement action as appropriate during the regional rollout.

The Database will collect a range of information which will be confirmed through secondary legislation. We are continuing to explore which key performance indicators will help us to assess whether the Database is meeting its objectives.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what baseline information will be collected at the start of the rollout of the Private Rented Sector Database to ensure an assessment can be made of its effectiveness in ensuring a decent standard of provision for renters.

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

We are working closely with local councils to support them in using the information that will be provided by the Private Rented Sector Database in their enforcement activities. Through guidance we will encourage local councils to verify the information recorded on the Database and carry out enforcement action as appropriate during the regional rollout.

The Database will collect a range of information which will be confirmed through secondary legislation. We are continuing to explore which key performance indicators will help us to assess whether the Database is meeting its objectives.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether landlords will be required to pay for three yearly inspections by the relevant local authority to ensure compliance with the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

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

We have allocated the £41.12 million new burdens funding for 2026-27 to support the enforcement of measures in the Renters’ Rights Act, based broadly on private rented sector stock levels per local housing authority, with a small proportion allocated to local weights and measures authorities, typically the local trading standards department, to cover their additional responsibilities in enforcing the rent in advance measure. New burdens funding for 2026-27 follows new burdens funding of £18.2 million to local housing authorities in 2025-26 allocated according to the level private rented sector stock in each authority. We are committed to providing funding support for new burdens throughout this spending period.

The Renters' Rights Act places a new duty on local housing authorities to take enforcement action where they suspect non-compliance. Whilst local authorities are best placed to decide the most effective way to enforce the measures in the Act, we expect councils to take a proactive approach to enforcement. Our aim is to establish a sustainable funding system for enforcement over the long term based on future Private Rented Sector Database fee revenues.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how the funding allocation to local authorities for enforcement of compliance with the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has been calculated.

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

We have allocated the £41.12 million new burdens funding for 2026-27 to support the enforcement of measures in the Renters’ Rights Act, based broadly on private rented sector stock levels per local housing authority, with a small proportion allocated to local weights and measures authorities, typically the local trading standards department, to cover their additional responsibilities in enforcing the rent in advance measure. New burdens funding for 2026-27 follows new burdens funding of £18.2 million to local housing authorities in 2025-26 allocated according to the level private rented sector stock in each authority. We are committed to providing funding support for new burdens throughout this spending period.

The Renters' Rights Act places a new duty on local housing authorities to take enforcement action where they suspect non-compliance. Whilst local authorities are best placed to decide the most effective way to enforce the measures in the Act, we expect councils to take a proactive approach to enforcement. Our aim is to establish a sustainable funding system for enforcement over the long term based on future Private Rented Sector Database fee revenues.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) introduce compulsory eye tests for drivers over 70 and (2) prepare optometrists to undertake such tests.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

A public consultation on introducing mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers was launched on 7 January and closed on 11 May.

The Department for Transport is currently analysing the responses, and the government response will be published once that is complete.

The logistical arrangements for carrying out any potential new eyesight tests formed part of the consultation. No decisions will be made until the responses to the consultation have been carefully considered.

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