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

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to restricting or banning estate agents from collecting rent commission one year in advance, in line with the proposed restriction on landlords requesting upfront rent payments as set out in the Renters' Rights Bill.

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

There are already protections in place to ensure that both tenants and landlords are treated fairly by letting agents. This includes the Tenant Fees Act 2019 which bans most letting fees and caps tenancy deposits paid by tenants in the private rented sector.

In addition, the Renters’ Rights Bill will prohibit landlords from requiring more than one month's rent in advance from tenants looking to secure a tenancy. This unfair practice can encourage prospective tenants to stretch their finances to the limit or prevent them from accessing the private rented sector altogether.

This measure does not apply to the fee structures agreed between landlords and property agents.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether there will be exemptions for listed buildings under the proposed new energy performance certificate regulations.

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

Currently buildings protected as part of a designated environment or because of their special architectural or historical merit are exempt from the requirements to have an energy performance certificate insofar as compliance with minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance.

We have recently consulted on EPC Reform and we are proposing that all heritage buildings are required to have an Energy Performance Certificate. The act of obtaining an EPC does not have any effect on the building materially and even if obtaining an EPC were to bring a heritage building into scope of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards, there are relevant exemptions if consent by the relevant authorities cannot be obtained, or if any of the recommendations on the EPC that need to be made, devalue the property by more than 5%. We would plan for this to be further balanced by ensuring EPC recommendations are tailored appropriately to consider the nature of the buildings.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether secondary glazing and infrared heaters are included in energy performance certificate (EPC) assessments; and if not (1) why, and (2) what consideration they have given to including secondary glazing and infrared heaters in EPC assessments in future.

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

The Energy Performance of existing homes is assessed through the model known as the RdSAP, which enables EPC assessors to record instances of secondary glazing so this can contribute towards a higher EPC score for the dwelling. Infrared heaters are currently treated as a standard direct electric heater under this methodology. Although infrared heating is not modelled as its own category, the Government acknowledges its potential to offer efficiency benefits over other direct electric heating appliances. The ‘Appendix Q’ process enables the recognition of additional technologies such as infrared heating and manufacturers or industry groups can pursue that route for recognition in RdSAP subject to the completion of appropriate testing.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they still intend to abolish marriage value in lease extension calculations.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN HL 3047 on 10 December 2024.

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT

Found: Schedule 3 Title Clauses 75 to 101 [Amendments marked ★ are new or have been altered] Clause 1 LORD TRUSCOTT