Government Statement
Clive Betts, Chair of the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, presented a report on reforming the private rented sector in England. He thanked the Backbench Business Committee for providing time for the statement and acknowledged the work done by committee members and staff in producing the report. The report follows the Government’s White Paper 'A Fairer Private Rented Sector', which outlines long-term vision for security of tenure and housing quality improvements through a renters’ reform Bill planned this Session. Betts noted that 4.6 million tenants, representing 19% of households, live in private rented accommodation, often on low incomes or living with children, differing from the typical young professional profile twenty years ago. The Committee found issues such as inadequate housing quality and fear among tenants to complain due to eviction threats; 21% of homes are non-decent and 12% have serious category 1 hazards like damp and mould. Repealing section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, allowing no-fault evictions, is seen as crucial for tenant security. The Committee also recommended limitations on landlords selling or moving into their property during the first year of a tenancy to prevent exploitation. Introducing a specialist housing court was called for due to existing inefficiencies in handling possession hearings under section 8. Fixed-term tenancies should be abolished with an exception for student accommodation to avoid discouraging letting to students. A legally binding decent homes standard is supported, alongside a new property portal centralizing information on landlords and properties. The cost of implementing the decent homes standard was deemed proportionate but concerns were raised about energy efficiency issues not being covered by the £10,000 cap for improvement works. Additional financing solutions are recommended where energy efficiency improvements exceed this limit.