Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill

Debate between Lucy Allan and Ed Davey

2nd reading: House of Commons
Friday 19th January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Allan]

My hon. Friend is right. We must help to empower those vulnerable tenants, because legislation will not be a remedy if people are not helped to exercise it.

[Sir Edward Davey]

May I ask the hon. Lady a question that I asked the hon. Member for Westminster North (Ms Buck)? Does she agree that we need to ensure that local authorities are enforcing these and other rules in order to protect our most vulnerable citizens, and that the Government should monitor and compare authorities to establish which of them are going after the rogue landlords, and should name and shame those that are not?

[Lucy Allan]

Indeed. Much more can be done to persuade and encourage local authorities to enforce their role. As I have said, they have an important part to play, and they have existing powers to bring about a remedy.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lucy Allan]

The hon. Lady is right. The objective of selective licensing is to bring in more funds. However, there is a raft of bureaucracy surrounding it, and some landlords will pass the cost on to their tenants.

[Sir Edward Davey]

Will the hon. Lady give way?

[Lucy Allan]

I want to make one more point, but I may give way to the right hon. Gentleman later.