Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2019 to Question 249189 on Regulator of Social Housing, how many respondents to the consultation on the Social Housing Green Paper in 2018 (a) supported and (b) rejected the proposal to consider removing the serious detriment test used to determine compliance with the Home Standard if it is a bar to a more proactive approach by the Regulator of Social Housing.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
We met over 500 residents and received over 1,000 responses to the Social Housing Green Paper consultation. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation and will publish the government's response in due course.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average length of time was for the Housing Ombudsman Service to determine case complaints in the first three months of 2019-20; and how many complaints were dealt with within the six month target during that period.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In order to ensure that residents receive a fair and impartial service, the Housing Ombudsman carefully reviews all available evidence when investigating and determining cases within their formal remit.
Between April and June 2019-20, the Housing Ombudsman Service determined 502 cases with an average determination time of 6.8 months. The Housing Ombudsman Service does not have a specific target for the proportion of cases determined within six months. The target is an average to be achieved across the financial year reflecting that the Housing Ombudsman Service is a demand-led and the average case time will vary each month depending on the number of cases received, and the complexity of the peculiar case.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to bring forward secondary legislation to implement mandatory electrical safety checks for the private rented sector.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In July 2018, government committed to introducing mandatory five-yearly electrical safety inspections for electrical installations in privately rented properties. This will be achieved through secondary legislation, subject to parliamentary time. In the meantime, it remains best practice for landlords to ensure that the electrics in their properties are safe.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks in the social rented sector in England.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Government is committed to ensuring that everyone is safe, and feels safe, in their home.
We published our Green Paper, "A new deal for social housing", in August last year. It asked whether new safety measures in the private rented sector should apply to social housing, including the proposed mandatory requirement on private landlords to ensure electrical installations in their property are inspected every five years. We are currently considering the responses to the consultation and will publish our action plan for implementing social housing reform in due course.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applicants were interviewed for the post of Housing Ombudsman.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Department received 19 applications for the post of Housing Ombudsman; of which 5 were shortlisted for interview by the Advisory Assessment Panel.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2019 to Question 249189 on Regulator of Social Housing, how many respondents to the consultation on the Social Housing Green Paper in 2018 (a) supported and (b) rejected the proposal to consider removing the serious detriment test used to determine compliance with the Home Standard if it is a bar to more proactive approach by the Regulator of Social Housing.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average length of time was for the Housing Ombudsman Service to determine case complaints in the first three months of 2019-20; and how many complaints were dealt with within the six month target during that period.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applicants were interviewed for the post of Housing Ombudsman.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2019 to Question 234662 on Regulator of Social Housing: Public Appointments, whether any new Board members have been appointed.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
Josephine Boaden CBE and Deborah Gregory have been appointed to the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing.
Asked by: Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour - Poplar and Limehouse)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2018 to Question 192956 on Regulator of Social Housing: Public Appointments, at what stage is the recruitment process for the permanent Chair of the Regulator of Social Housing.
Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The then Housing Minister decided not to appoint a new permanent Chair of the Board of the Regulator of Social Housing. The Minister considered the Advisory Assessment Panel’s recommendations carefully, but in light of the narrow field of candidates, he decided to refresh the specification for the role so as to attract the best possible candidates in a future campaign. The Minister also decided to extend the appointment of the current Interim Chair for a further 12 months.