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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that rented properties in the private rented sector which are not subject to formal (a) tenancies and (b) licences are adequate for human habitation.

Everyone is entitled to live in a decent home. Local authorities already have strong powers under the Housing Act 2004 to deal with hazards and poor conditions in residential properties, regardless of tenure. This includes requiring the owner of the property to take such steps as are necessary to remove a potentially dangerous hazard or deal with poor conditions.

In extreme cases, where there is an imminent danger to health and safety, they can prohibit a building from being used or carry out emergency remedial action, and charge the cost back to the owner of the property.