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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any information on the number of leases that have been forfeited in the past year under section 146 of the Law of Property Act 1925.

Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

The Ministry of Justice publishes broader statistics on the numbers of mortgage lender and landlord possession actions in the county courts of England and Wales.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to regulate the ultra-short letting platform market.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Short-term lets are an important part of what the UK offers visitors in terms of accommodation and the government recognises that they bring a range of benefits to the visitor economy.

The government wants people living in our major tourism destinations, especially in coastal and rural villages and towns, to benefit from a thriving tourism industry without losing the spirit of their community when the holiday season ends.

Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This government is exploring the introduction of such a scheme.

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 ultra-short lets on the availability of long-term rentals and homes.

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

We recognise that whilst short-term lets and second homes can benefit the tourist economy, we need to protect local communities, including ensuring the availability of housing to rent or buy. We are currently considering how best to achieve these aims.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the passage of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, when they plan to deliver online calculators for lease extensions.

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

The Government will provide homeowners with greater rights, powers and protections over their homes. We are committed to implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. The Government is also committed to further reform the leasehold system, enacting the remaining Law Commission recommendations relating to leasehold enfranchisement and the Right to Manage.

We will enforce measures to prescribe the rates to be used in enfranchisement valuation calculations, which determine the cost leaseholders must pay to extend a lease or acquire a freehold. This will allow leaseholders to understand how much it will cost to extend their lease or purchase their freehold upfront.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to standardise Energy Performance Certificate assessments.

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

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are intended to provide prospective buyers and tenants with a guide to the energy costs of different properties, which is simple to understand and allows comparison between properties.

A standardised methodology is used in the assessments of EPCs. The current methodology can be found here. The software used to calculate EPC ratings in existing properties is the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP).

Not all buildings are used in the same way, so the energy rating uses ‘standard occupancy’ assumptions which may be different from the way the building is used. We acknowledge that occupant behaviour is an important factor in determining the energy use of buildings. Encouraging occupants to use buildings more efficiently will be important in achieving the net zero target.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for TV licence fee payers as consumers who pay monthly instalments being required to pay more in the first 12 months, for both the current and subsequent annual period, than they would if purchasing a TV licence fee in a one-off annual payment; and what consideration they have given to introducing the option not to pay for the next licence in advance.

Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to eradicate rough sleeping in England; and what is their timescale for doing so.

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

Homelessness and rough sleeping levels in England are far too high. This has a devastating impact on those affected and harms our communities.

We must address this and deliver long-term solutions. The Government is considering these issues carefully and is committed to putting Britain back on track to ending homelessness. To do this we will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the number of smart meters which malfunction in the UK.

Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is working closely with industry and Ofgem to reduce the proportion of smart meters not operating in smart mode. Data on this is included in the statistics the Government publishes every quarter on the progress of the smart metering rollout. These are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/smart-meters-statistics and at Gov.UK. This shows that over 90% of smart meters are functioning in smart mode and that the proportion of meters operating in ‘traditional’ mode is steadily reducing. Smart meters operating in traditional mode continue to record energy usage accurately but do not send automatic readings to energy suppliers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ban e-scooters.

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

Private e-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements, and rental e-scooters can only be used in national rental e-scooter trials.

However, it is lawful to sell e-scooters for use on private land as long as it is made clear to the buyer they cannot be used on the road.

As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and Ministers are carefully considering next steps and potential policy solutions for e-scooters.

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 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to make regulations on requirements for short-term property lets under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

In 2023 the Government consulted on a registration scheme for short-term lets. Parliament then legislated for such a scheme in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. We are committed to the introduction of such a scheme as soon as possible.

We are now in the initial phase of digital development, which will enable us to test and refine the possible options for design and delivery of the scheme. We will set out further detail on how the scheme will work as soon as practicable, including a full response to the consultation, as well as further information on the legislative process that will bring the scheme to life.

Found: Clause 112 LORD TRUSCOTT 66_ Leave out Clause 112 and insert the following new Clause— “Remedies

Found: (5) Regulations under this section are subject to the negative procedure. ” Clause 112 LORD

Found: Bill 4 (5) Regulations under this section are subject to the negative procedure. ” Clause 112 LORD