Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to strengthen consumer protection in the short term lets market.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, traders must carry out a service with reasonable care and skill, and within reasonable time. Where a trader fails to meet the standards required, this could be a breach of contract and the consumer is entitled to ask for a repeat performance of the service or a price reduction.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act strengthens consumer law enforcement by giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers, and the CMA and courts the ability to impose significant monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover.

DBT also funds Citizens Advice to provide the consumer service which supports consumers to resolve disputes and assert their rights.