Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to improve housing conditions for older tenants in the private rented sector.

The private rented sector is an important part of our housing market, housing 4.3 million households in England. The quality of privately rented housing has improved rapidly over the past decade with 82% of private renters satisfied with their accommodation, and staying in their homes for an average of 4 years.

We are determined to improve standards for all tenants and local authorities have strong and effective powers to deal with poor quality unsafe accommodation and crack down on the small minority of rogue landlords. We expect those powers to be used. They include the ability to require improvement works to be carried out and prohibiting the use of a dwelling where it is unsafe.

The Housing & Planning Act 2016 introduced further powers to help crack down on rogue landlords, including a database of rogue landlords and property agents, banning orders for the most serious and prolific offenders, civil penalties of up to £30,000 and extended rent repayment orders.