All 1 Debates between Stephen Williams and Andrew Love

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Williams and Andrew Love
Monday 3rd March 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Stephen Williams Portrait Stephen Williams
- Hansard - -

I have much sympathy with what my right hon. Friend says. We all have a role to play as parliamentarians. Every six months when the clocks go back or forward, the Department uses that opportunity to remind people to check the smoke alarms that they have in place, and to remind householders and landlords that having a smoke alarm in place is good practice. We are having the consultation and it is possible that we will take further measures, but let us wait another 25 days.

Andrew Love Portrait Mr Andrew Love (Edmonton) (Lab/Co-op)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Is not the lesson from all the evidence that is emerging from the private rented sector that we need stronger regulation? What will the Minister do about all the horror stories that are emerging?

Stephen Williams Portrait Stephen Williams
- Hansard - -

Where there are horror stories, local authorities have powers to act. They can serve an improvement notice on a landlord. If a landlord does not take action, the local authority can take action itself. The consultation document looks at other measures that might be put in place. For instance, when equipment in a property is found to be defective, perhaps the redress should be a rent refund for the tenant. That would probably concentrate landlords’ minds.