Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Private Renter Security

Monday 17 October 2022 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government provided over 37 billion of support this year to address the cost of living crisis affecting private renters.
  • The Government committed to banning section 21 no-fault evictions to enhance renter security.
  • The renters reform Bill will be introduced in the course of the current Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Housing Energy
Context

Renters face increasing rents and energy bills in the cost of living crisis. The government has provided £37 billion support this year.

Question

What steps he is taking to enhance private renter security in the context of the cost of living crisis, given that renters are facing increasing rents and energy bills?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We understand the pressures that renters are facing with increasing rents and energy bills. We have provided more than £37 billion of support this year, and we are committed to the ban on section 21 no-fault evictions. The Government consultation on a decent homes standard for the rented sector has closed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to enhance security were not provided.

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Q2 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

Millions of private renters are struggling to afford rent due to the cost of living crisis. The freeze on housing benefit rates still stands.

Question

The Prime Minister has U-turned on scrapping unfair section 21 no-fault evictions, but the freeze on housing benefit rates still stands. Will the Secretary of State give private renters certainty by immediately publishing the renters reform Bill?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We will bring forward reforms for renters when parliamentary time allows. We have maintained local housing allowance rates at increased levels following the covid pandemic, and we keep all issues under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate publication of the Bill was not committed to.

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Q3 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Housing
Context

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that local housing allowance rates were not enough to cover rent in Bristol.

Question

What is the Secretary of State doing to ensure that LHA keeps pace with market rents, particularly in places such as Bristol where many are being priced out of housing?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We continue to keep rates under very close review. We have maintained the heightened rates introduced in April 2020, and we welcome proposals on the situation in Bristol to look at it in more detail.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to align LHA with market rents were not given.

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Q4 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Housing
Context

Rents have risen by 15% in London, affecting a constituent's ability to afford rent after leaving an abusive marriage.

Question

Is the Secretary of State aware that rents have risen by 15% in London? A constituent works but can barely afford increased private rent. How will the Government address such situations? When will they bring in the long-awaited renters reform Bill?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We are happy to look at the situation affecting her constituent. We have discretionary housing payments for those in hard situations, and we will bring forward legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific support measures and a clear timeline were not given.

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Q5 Selaine Saxby
Housing
Context

My constituency has seen its supply of private rental properties drop by over 60% due to short-term holiday lets.

Question

What plans has my right hon. Friend to redress the situation?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We recognise the problem in her constituency and are looking at all options to ensure a proper supply of rental properties in such areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans were not provided.

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Q6 Matthew Pennycook Lab Greenwich and Woolwich
Housing
Context

Ministers were planning to renege on their commitment to abolish section 21 no-fault evictions, but the Prime Minister denied it.

Question

Can the Secretary of State give a cast-iron guarantee from the Dispatch Box today that if the Government are still standing come the time, a renters reform Bill will be introduced in the next parliamentary Session?

Answer from Simon Clarke

We will introduce the rental reform Bill in the course of this Parliament. That is a commitment we are determined to honour.

Answered
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