Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Thornton Excerpts

Monday 3rd March 2014 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Mike Thornton (Eastleigh) (LD)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to tackle rogue landlords.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Kris Hopkins)]

We are determined to crack down on the small number of rogue landlords who neglect their properties and exploit their tenants. We have provided £6.5 million to local authorities and have recently published a discussion paper on improving property conditions in the private rented sector that focuses on tackling rogue landlords.

[Mike Thornton]

I am pleased that the Government are taking action on this issue, which affects so many of my Eastleigh constituents. Will the Minister assure me that, as part of the review, he will give adequate consideration to ensuring that rented homes are fitted with life-saving fire and carbon monoxide detectors, particularly as adequate regulations regarding electrical safety in rented houses are sadly lacking?

[Kris Hopkins]

I can reassure the House that the review will consider both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We will also consider whether landlords should be required to carry out regular checks on electrical installations.