Vacant Residential Properties

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

We have been working very closely with local authorities and the private sector. In doing so, in the public sector we have ensured that incentives provided to local authorities do determine that, but increasingly we are finding the balance is towards the private rented sector. That balance can fluctuate. We have new figures on empty homes coming out later, in which we will assess exactly how home one-for-one replacement works. However, there is a proportion to be struck between the private rented sector and the local authority sector. The main headline is that we are seeing record reductions in the number of empty homes.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, following that last question, is the Minister aware that the NHS property agency—a government agency—holds many homes in its portfolio? Could he confirm that and say what they are doing to make those homes available in one way or another for people to let or buy?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

If I may, I will write specifically on that issue to the noble Lord.