Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Private Rented Sector: Regulation

24 May 2023 · 7 other contributors · 9,128 words

Opened by Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton

Responding minister: Rachel Maclean

Housing

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Dan Carden raised concerns about private rented sector: regulation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The private rented sector faces issues of insecure tenure, high rents, poor housing quality, and risks of homelessness.
  • A constituent received a section 21 notice, threatening homelessness and disruption for her non-verbal son with severe learning disabilities.
  • The Renters (Reform) Bill aims to end no-fault evictions, reform possession grounds, introduce an ombudsman scheme, and allocate 14 million for pathfinder projects.

Key requests to Government

The Government should extend the no-reletting period to a minimum of 12 months, increase rent tribunal utility, raise local housing allowance, address blanket bans on renting to those in receipt of housing benefit, and ensure landlords deal with serious hazards promptly as they do for social tenants.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton

The private rented sector is plagued by insecure tenure, unaffordable rents, poor housing quality, and the threat of homelessness. A constituent received a section 21 notice, leaving her and her family homeless with two months to find new accommodation and adjust to a new school and medical services for her non-verbal son with severe learning disabilities. The Renters (Reform) Bill will correct some power imbalances but may come too late for many affected by the current system's failures.

Other contributors (7)
  • Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead

    She thanks the hon. Friend for initiating the debate, discussing housing cases involving constituents living in poor conditions and facing rising rents. She supports the idea of a proper ombudsman for private renters and believes that a private renters charter will improve fairness. Welcomes some proposals, particularly the private rented database. Expresses concern about constituents living in poor-quality housing without advocates to take their cases further against landlords, proposing an ombudsman for the sector.

  • Caroline Lucas Green Brighton Pavilion

    She congratulates the hon. Gentleman on securing the debate, highlighting the high cost of renting in Brighton and the need for more enforcement powers to target rogue landlords. She also calls for closing loopholes that allow discrimination against tenants with children or those reliant on benefits. Additionally, she advocates for rent controls similar to those used internationally.

  • Catherine McKinnell Lab Newcastle upon Tyne North

    The hon. Member raised critical points about rent increases contributing to inflation and the need for government action, supporting calls for rent controls based on international comparisons.

  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    The hon. Member agrees that Government support for greater availability of good-quality social housing could help suppress the increase in rents and suggests the Bill and tax regime should pursue bad landlords, support good landlords, and protect tenants.

  • Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport

    The hon. Member congratulates his colleague for Liverpool, Walton on securing this debate. He criticises the Government's failure to address housing issues in his constituency, mentioning poor standards and unfair rent increases. He highlights cases of inadequate emergency accommodation and landlords serving section 21 notices to increase rents. Raises concerns about individuals with pets who struggle to secure tenancies and are often housebound or living alone, advocating for strengthened legislation to support these tenants beyond those on benefits or without recourse to public funds. The Minister is asked to address the issue of local authorities losing hundreds of millions of pounds in funding over the past 13 years, particularly highlighting Stockport's financial struggles since 2010. The lack of Conservative Back Benchers in the debate and their apparent disinterest in the private rented sector crisis are questioned.

  • Sarah Owen Lab Luton North

    Expressed disappointment at the misnaming of colleagues, criticized negligent housing policy and highlighted issues like lack of decent homes and unfair evictions. Called for amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill to prevent unjust evictions and provide support for local authorities. Requests an intervention from the Minister but does not specify the details of her question or concern.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    Congratulates the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton on securing the debate and highlights the soaring rents in Bath, which have risen by more than £200 over three years. Criticises the Government's failure to regulate the private rented sector adequately, citing research that found tenants who complained were two and a half times more likely to receive an eviction notice. Emphasizes the need for robust regulation to prevent no-fault evictions and rogue landlords from exploiting tenants through rent hikes and poor living conditions.

Government Response

Rachel Maclean

The Government's Renters (Reform) Bill aims to address the issues in the private rented sector by ending no-fault evictions, reforming grounds for possession, introducing a new ombudsman scheme, and simplifying rent increase notices. The bill will also provide tenants with more security and landlords with clear guidelines. Funding of £14 million is allocated to 10 pathfinder projects designed to build enforcement capacity and test innovative approaches. The minister acknowledged the support from tenant groups and landlord representatives.

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