Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review the impact of the proposed new EPC standards on rental levels in the private rented sector.
Answered by Lord Callanan
Alongside the consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes the Government published an impact assessment, which includes an assessment of the potential impact on rental payments. We are continuing to refine the policy design to ensure the costs, circumstances, and potential impacts relating to energy efficiency improvements are fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants. We will publish a summary of responses by the end of this year and will publish an updated impact assessment once the final policy decisions are made.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 20 July (HL9154), whether inserted sections 16B and 16C of clause 7 of the Renters (Reform) Bill will override leases in blocks of flats which explicitly prohibit pets which may cause a nuisance.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Further to the answer given in response to question HL9154 on 20 July, sections 16B and 16C of the Renters (Reform) Bill will not override lease agreements that prohibit pets.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the resignation of the chief executive of HS2 on delays and cost overruns on the project.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
We expect that both the Executive Chair and next Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd will have a resolute focus on delivering the programme to schedule and to controlling costs.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effects of clauses 16B and 16C of the Renters (Reform) Bill on blocks of flats whose leases prohibit pets which may cause a nuisance.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Renters (Reform) Bill provides landlords with added flexibility where they need to obtain the consent of a superior landlord when considering any request for a pet. It will be reasonable for landlords to refuse a request where accepting a pet would breach an agreement with a superior landlord.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Renters (Reform) Bill will make leases in apartment blocks banning short lets illegal.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government is aware that stakeholders have raised concerns about this issue and is considering whether any mitigations might be needed.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to end the shortage of private rental accommodation; and whether such steps include restoring tax relief on buy to let mortgages.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government is driving up the supply of new homes by diversifying the market, investing in affordable housing, and increasing land supply for new homes by investing in infrastructure. We welcome new institutional investment in the private rented sector and have made a number of interventions to support the Build to Rent sector.
Since 2010, there have been a range of policy changes affecting private landlords, including tax changes for buy-to-let landlords. Specifically on mortgage interest, landlords are able to claim tax relief at the basic rate on finance costs for their rental property. Landlords also continue to be able to claim relief at their marginal rate of income tax on the day-to-day costs incurred in letting out a property, such as letting agent fees and replacing furniture. As with all matters of taxation, the Treasury keeps this policy under regular review, and any decision on future changes will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the abolition of assured shorthold tenancies on those seeking a mortgage from mortgage companies which require tenancies of at least six months without a break.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer deal for renters and landlords, removing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. This will provide tenants with more security.
The Government has considered the impact of removing ASTs and continues to engage with stakeholders, including the financial sector, on the impact of the reforms. Financial products continue to be available in Scotland, where similar reforms have been implemented.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the availability of long-term rental properties in holiday resorts and city centres as a result of the introduction of periodic tenancies.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government is providing tenants with a fairer deal, moving to periodic tenancies for all renters. This will protect tenants from the injustice of being forced to pay for unsafe or non-decent homes, and retain the flexibility that is one of the key benefits of renting in the PRS.
The two Government consultations on the 'Introduction of a use class for short term lets and associated permitted development rights' and the 'Consultation on a registration scheme for short-term lets in England' closed on 7 June. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the Department for Culture Media and Sport are in the process of analysing responses for their respective consultations. Further announcements will be made in due course.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the number of dog attacks (1) in general, and (2) on postal workers in particular.
Answered by Lord Benyon
We are working in partnership with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to ensure that the full range of existing dog control powers are effectively applied to encourage responsible dog ownership and reduce the risk of dog attacks, including attacks amongst postal workers.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) serious injuries, and (2) deaths, have been caused by dog attacks in England and Wales in the past 12 months.
Answered by Lord Benyon
Defra does not collect this data. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) published by NHS Digital include numbers of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) for hospital admissions in England that were caused by a dog bite or strike. The Office for National Statistics also collects details and figures on deaths registered in England and Wales, including underlying cause. Deaths registered in England and Wales – 21st century mortality - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk).