Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Renters (Reform) Bill

Monday 10 July 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The impact assessment for the Renters (Reform) Bill received a green rating and indicated likely additional costs of 17 per year with greater benefits.
  • The response dismissed concerns that the impact assessment is weak and fails to address impacts on competition, innovation, and investment, as well as effects on landlords.
  • The Minister expressed disappointment with Galliard and Southern Housing regarding serious maintenance issues at Norfolk House and committed to taking action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christopher Chope Con Christchurch
Housing
Context

The Regulatory Policy Committee published a statement on the Renters (Reform) Bill's impact assessment on July 3, 2023.

Question

What assessment has been made of the implications for policies based on the RPC statement regarding the Renters (Reform) Bill impact assessment?

Answer from Michael Gove

I have read it, and it seems fantastic. I was pleased that the impact assessment gave the Bill a green rating and indicated likely additional costs would be £17 per year with greater benefits monetised and non-monetised.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Criticism of RPC's statement about weaknesses in addressing competition, innovation, investment, and landlord impacts was not addressed.

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Q2 Christopher Chope Con Christchurch
Business & Trade
Context

The Regulatory Policy Committee's statement on the Renters (Reform) Bill impact assessment was published on July 3, 2023. The previous answer from Michael Gove was considered inadequate.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend not accept the RPC criticisms that the impact assessment is weak and fails to address impacts on competition, innovation and investment, and on landlords who run small businesses?

Answer from Michael Gove

I was pleased that the impact assessment gave the Bill a green rating. It indicated likely additional costs would be £17 per year with significantly greater benefits monetised and non-monetised. The measure is progressive which I hope my hon. Friend will support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Weaknesses in addressing competition, innovation, investment, and landlord impacts were not addressed.

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Housing
Context

Residents of Norfolk House in Vicky Foxcroft's constituency have faced burst pipes, dangerous cladding, and sewage leaks. Galliard, the property developer, and Southern Housing, a housing association, are reportedly not addressing these issues.

Question

Renters' reform is important, as is safe housing. Residents of Norfolk House face serious maintenance issues including burst pipes, dangerous cladding, and sewage leaks, ruining multiple flats. Both Galliard and Southern Housing refuse to address these problems described as a 'ticking time bomb'. Will the Minister commit to investigating this case that has blighted residents' lives for years?

Answer from Michael Gove

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that and of course we will look into it. Both Galliard, the developer, and Southern Housing, the housing association mentioned, have come to our Department's attention before, so I am disappointed but will take action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister acknowledged the issue but did not commit to specific actions or timelines for investigation.

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