To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Social Rented Housing: Pets
Tuesday 5th November 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals to make it easier for tenants in rented accommodated to have pets.

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 Dissolution.


Written Question
Tenant Fees Act 2019
Tuesday 22nd October 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment the Government has made of the effect on pet owners of the implementation of the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

Answered by Esther McVey - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The government has not made a specific assessment of the effect on pet owners of the implementation of the Tenant Fees Act 2019.


Written Question
Housing: Business Premises
Monday 1st July 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

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 effect of disregarding restrictive covenants or planning conditions intended to prevent a domestic residence from operating a business from that premises when taking a decision to transfer a domestic dwelling from council tax to Uniform Business Rate.

Answered by Rishi Sunak - Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union

The Valuation Office Agency decides whether a property should be subject to council tax or non-domestic rates. The Agency is an executive agency of HMRC and operates independently of Ministers. In reaching a view on the most appropriate listing, the Agency has regard to the relevant provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. I understand that the Agency would not normally take account of whether the use is consistent with planning or other restrictions, rather it would be guided by the facts pertaining to the occupation of the property.


Written Question
Housing: Business Premises
Monday 1st July 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has provided to the Valuation Office Agency on dealing with restrictive covenants or planning conditions which apply to domestic dwellings and are intended to prevent any business from operating from such a domestic dwelling when making decisions regarding the transfer of a domestic dwelling from council tax to Uniform Business Rate lists.

Answered by Rishi Sunak - Prime Minister, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Union

The Valuation Office Agency decides whether a property should be subject to council tax or non-domestic rates. The Agency is an executive agency of HMRC and operates independently of Ministers. In reaching a view on the most appropriate listing, the Agency has regard to the relevant provisions of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. I understand that the Agency would not normally take account of whether the use is consistent with planning or other restrictions, rather it would be guided by the facts pertaining to the occupation of the property.


Written Question
Social Rented Housing: Regulation
Monday 24th June 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

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 implications for his policies of recommendations for a new Social Housing regulator in the report entitled A Vision for Social Housing published by Shelter.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

Nothing is more important than ensuring people are safe in their homes. Residents’ voices need to be heard to ensure proper standards are maintained and that where things are going wrong they are picked up and addressed. We want to ensure that there is a coherent and consistent approach to regulation to deliver these objectives, and achieve the best deal for tenants and landlords. Our review of social housing regulation is exploring the most appropriate way of doing so, and we will publish the results of that review in due course.


Written Question
Social Rented Housing: Regulation
Monday 24th June 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of the recommendation in the Shelter report entitle of, A vision for social housing, to establish a consumer protection regulator for social renters alongside an economic regulator of social housing.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

Nothing is more important than ensuring people are safe in their homes. Residents’ voices need to be heard to ensure proper standards are maintained and that where things are going wrong they are picked up and addressed. We want to ensure that there is a coherent and consistent approach to regulation to deliver these objectives, and achieve the best deal for tenants and landlords. Our review of social housing regulation is exploring the most appropriate way of doing so, and we will publish the results of that review in due course.


Written Question
Social Rented Housing: Inspections
Thursday 20th June 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

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 introducing (a) proactive and (b) regular inspections to increase standards in the social housing sector.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

Nothing is more important than ensuring people are safe in their homes. Residents’ voices need to be heard to ensure proper standards are maintained and that where things are going wrong they are picked up and addressed. We want to ensure that there is a coherent and consistent approach to regulation to deliver these objectives, and achieve the best deal for tenants and landlords. Our review of social housing regulation is exploring the most appropriate way of doing so, and we will publish the results of that review in due course.


Written Question
Social Rented Housing: Regulation
Thursday 20th June 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

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 the establishment of a new regulator for social housing.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

Nothing is more important than ensuring people are safe in their homes. Residents’ voices need to be heard to ensure proper standards are maintained and that where things are going wrong they are picked up and addressed. We want to ensure that there is a coherent and consistent approach to regulation to deliver these objectives, and achieve the best deal for tenants and landlords. Our review of social housing regulation is exploring the most appropriate way of doing so, and we will publish the results of that review in due course.


Written Question
Housing Estates: Playgrounds
Wednesday 5th June 2019

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of housing estate developments built in the last five years have outdoor children's play areas.

Answered by Kit Malthouse

The Department does not hold the information requested.


Written Question
Affordable Housing
Tuesday 25th April 2017

Asked by: Sarah Wollaston (Liberal Democrat - Totnes)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether the Community Housing Fund will continue to be distributed through local authorities from 2017-18.

Answered by Lord Barwell

The first year of the Community Housing Fund was distributed through local authorities and used to build capacity within local groups. Funding for 2017/18 will be used to deliver housing on the ground for local people.