Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Private Rented Sector: Housing Standards

Monday 20 January 2025 · 4 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Webb questioned the Department's steps to ensure councils have resources to enforce housing standards in the private rented sector.
  • Greg Smith inquired about striking a balance in enforcing housing standards, particularly in areas with housing issues.
  • Dame Meg Hillier asked the Secretary of State to pledge support for building affordable social rented housing to help tenants move out of temporary accommodation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Webb Lab Blackpool South
Housing Local Government
Context

Recent data indicates that 75% of private rented sector properties in Blackpool suffer from damp or mould, causing unacceptable living conditions for tenants.

Question

I welcome the Renters’ Rights Bill which will introduce a decent standard for homes in the private rented sector. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that councils have the resources they need to enforce those standards?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Angela Rayner)

For private landlords who fail to maintain their properties free from serious hazards, local councils will be able to issue fines up to £7,000. This allows effective targeting of enforcement on irresponsible and criminal landlords.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP specifically asked about the resources provided by the Department to enforce standards but the response did not address this directly.

How: Did Not Mention Resource Allocation For Councils

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Q2 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Housing
Context

The National Trust owns rental properties in Bradenham parish which are left empty as the organisation avoids new tenancies due to Government regulations.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that a balance needs to be struck here, and what advice can she give areas such as Bradenham facing similar issues?

Answer from Angela Rayner

We will ensure that empty homes are brought back into use. There should be no apologies for asking landlords to meet decent and safe housing standards, ensuring tenants' health is not at risk from hazards in their properties.

Not addressed: The MP asked about a balance but the answer focused solely on enforcing high standards without addressing potential unintended consequences.

How: Changed Topic To Enforcement Of Standards

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Q3 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Housing
Context

The private rented sector in the MP's constituency struggles to accommodate families placed in temporary accommodation, often resulting in overcrowded, damp conditions.

Question

In order to improve standards across the board, will my right hon. Friend pledge to ensure that we are pushing for much-needed affordable social rented housing so that those tenants can move into it?

Answer from Angela Rayner

160,000 children and families were in temporary accommodation at Christmas. We need to build social and council homes that people can live in for life and stop local authorities spending money on temporary accommodation that does not help young people’s life chances.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP asked for a specific pledge but the response was general about the importance of building affordable housing without committing to push for it specifically.

How: Broadly Discussed Need But Did Not Commit

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Q4 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Housing Local Government
Context

A family in the MP's constituency lived in a private rented property that was covered by landlord licensing but still experienced significant issues such as damp, electrical problems and flooding. The landlord was also the leader of Ashfield district council.

Question

Will the Secretary of State please remind council leaders that if they or their councillors rent out private properties, they should be held to a higher standard?

Answer from Angela Rayner

We want to introduce decent home standards in both social and private rented sectors. Tenants should not be too frightened to report mould, damp or health issues in their properties, and all landlords must uphold these standards regardless of who they are or where they operate.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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