Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002

Lord Swinfen Excerpts

Wednesday 7th May 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Faulks]

As the noble Baroness will know, the question goes across departments—that for housing and the Ministry of Justice. I do not have the details available but I will certainly ask for inquiries to be made along the lines of the question.

[Lord Swinfen (Con)]

My Lords, do the Government have any plans to control residential rents?

[Lord Faulks]

My Lords, the Government have no plans whatever to control rents. It appears that the party opposite is unsure as to whether this is a good idea. In fact, rental increases are below the rate of inflation. Last time, a rent freeze, which is partially proposed by the party opposite, caused the sector to shrink from over half to just 8%. Our intention is to improve the rental housing market, not to destroy it.