Reforming the Private Rented Sector
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The purpose of the inquiry is to scrutinise the Government’s proposals for reforming the private rented sector as set out in its White Paper, A Fairer Private Rented Sector .
19
Recommendations
11
Conclusions
1
Report
2
Oral sessions
14
Letters
2
Events
Activity timeline 20 events
20 Oct
2023
2023
11 Jul
2023
2023
13 Jun
2023
2023
13 Jun
2023
2023
6 Jun
2023
2023
26 May
2023
2023
23 May
2023
2023
18 Apr
2023
2023
7 Mar
2023
2023
9 Feb
2023
2023
Report published
7 Feb
2023
2023
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
7 Nov 2022
View on parliament.uk
Oral evidence
Charlotte Spencer · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Councillor Ben Fitter-Harding · Canterbury City Council
Councillor Ian Corkin · Cherwell District Council
Felicity Buchan · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
5 Sep 2022
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Oral evidence
Ben Beadle · National Residential Landlords' Association
Ben Beadle · National Residential Landlords Association
Councillor Darren Rodwell · Local Government Association
Councillor Matt Noble · Westminster Council
Councillor Tom Renhard · Bristol Council
Eloise Shepherd · London Councils
Nikita Quarshie · Shelter
The Baroness Kennedy of Cradley · Generation Rent
Theo Plowman · British Property Federation
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Rented Sector | HC 624 | 9 Feb 2023 | 30 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
12 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
The abolition of fixed-term tenancies, combined with the abolition of section 21, would undoubtedly give...
The abolition of fixed-term tenancies, combined with the abolition of section 21, would undoubtedly give tenants greater security of tenure. We understand the argument that fixed-term tenancies should remain available where both parties want them, but in practice, given the …
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Government Response
The government states tenants will be able to give notice at any point during the tenancy to avoid replication of fixed terms, and has increased the notice period to two months to ensure landlords have sufficient guarantee of rent.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
Before section 21 can be repealed, landlords must have confidence in their ability to regain...
Before section 21 can be repealed, landlords must have confidence in their ability to regain possession under section 8, especially in the case of rent arrears and antisocial behaviour. The biggest obstacle to this is the capacity of the courts. …
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Government Response
The government recognises the importance of making the court process smooth and efficient and is working with the Ministry of Justice and HM Courts and Tribunal Service to drive forward improvements to the court possession process, including digitising the process, exploring prioritisation of certain cases, and improving bailiff recruitment.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
If the decent homes standard is to improve standards in the private rented sector, local...
If the decent homes standard is to improve standards in the private rented sector, local authorities will have to enforce it vigorously, but at the moment levels of housing enforcement activity vary hugely between local authorities. We accept that much …
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Government Response
The government agrees a strong enforcement regime is vital and is committed to ensuring local councils have the powers and resources they need to tackle criminal landlords. The Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill includes measures to set minimum standards for enforcement, which they will consult on.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
We are conscious, however, that the financial position of local authorities remains extremely precarious, that...
We are conscious, however, that the financial position of local authorities remains extremely precarious, that this partly explains the lack of enforcement activity, and that some of these proposals will place an additional burden on local authorities’ resources. The Government …
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Government Response
The government agrees a strong enforcement regime is vital and is committed to ensuring local councils have the powers and resources needed and is addressing inconsistencies in enforcement activity.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
In the current economic climate, we accept that the Government is unlikely to provide significant...
In the current economic climate, we accept that the Government is unlikely to provide significant additional long-term funding for local authorities, but it must consult them, if it has not already done so, on how much short-term funding they will …
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Government Response
The government agrees a strong enforcement regime is vital and is committed to ensuring local councils have the powers and resources needed and is addressing inconsistencies in enforcement activity.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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15
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
The new regulatory regime will only become self-financing if local authorities can recoup the cost...
The new regulatory regime will only become self-financing if local authorities can recoup the cost of enforcement from non-compliant landlords, but we have heard from local government representatives that the civil penalties regime, which in theory should fund enforcement activity, …
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Government Response
The government agrees a strong enforcement regime is vital and is committed to ensuring local councils have the powers and resources needed and is addressing inconsistencies in enforcement activity.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
If it is not already doing so, the Government should consult local authorities about what...
If it is not already doing so, the Government should consult local authorities about what amendments are needed to the civil penalties regime and include any necessary legislative changes in the proposed renters reform Bill. In particular, we recommend that …
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Government Response
The government agrees a strong enforcement regime is vital and is committed to ensuring local councils have the powers and resources they need to tackle criminal landlords. The Levelling Up, Housing and Regeneration Bill includes measures to set minimum standards for enforcement, which they will consult on.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
17
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
The data suggests that the reduction in the size of the PRS, which the Minister...
The data suggests that the reduction in the size of the PRS, which the Minister partly attributed to the covid pandemic, began three years before the pandemic, in 2016–17. For this reason, we see little reason to believe the decline …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of the private rented sector and values the involvement of all responsible landlords, regardless of portfolio size, and states that it wants a thriving private rented sector that helps to accommodate people's housing needs.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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18
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
We recommend that the Government review the impact of recent changes to taxation rules in...
We recommend that the Government review the impact of recent changes to taxation rules in the buy-to-let sector, with a view to making changes to make it more financially attractive to smaller landlords. If it is not willing to do …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges concerns about the impact of taxation rules but states that the intention was to level the playing field and the private rented sector remains stable in size.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
We welcome the Government’s introduction of a tourist accommodation registration scheme and its commitment to...
We welcome the Government’s introduction of a tourist accommodation registration scheme and its commitment to consulting on changes to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987, but it remains to be seen if this will suffice to control …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges concerns and notes that consultations were held on a registration scheme for short-term lets and a new use class, and the responses are being considered.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
The failure of local housing allowance (LHA) rates to keep pace with market rents is...
The failure of local housing allowance (LHA) rates to keep pace with market rents is quite obviously making the private rented sector even less affordable for many people who are only there because the social housing sector has been cut …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the issue but does not commit to increasing LHA rates to the 30th or 50th percentile, instead highlighting Discretionary Housing Payments and a commitment to reviewing LHA rates annually.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Reforming the Priva…
When a tenant objects to an in-tenancy rent increase, they can refer their case to...
When a tenant objects to an in-tenancy rent increase, they can refer their case to the First-tier Property Tribunal, which determines the market rent for the property. The Government says it will remove the tribunal’s power to increase rents and …
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Government Response
The government states rents should be agreed between landlords and tenants, and it is not for government to intervene. The First-Tier Tribunal is best placed to resolve disputes, and it will update guidance to support all parties in engaging with the Tribunal.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 30 of 19 classified
Accepted
1
Acknowledged
12
Deferred
3
Rejected
6
Total
19 recs + 11 conclusions
Correspondence 14 letters
11 Jul 2023
To committee
Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 5 July 2023 concerning reforming the private rented sector
Parliament page
13 Jun 2023
To committee
Letter from the British Property Federation to the Chair dated 1 June 2023 concerning the Renters (Reform) Bill
Parliament page
13 Jun 2023
To committee
Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 12 June 2023 concerning the response to the Committee's report on Reforming the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
6 Jun 2023
To committee
Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 2 June 2023 concerning the Renters (Reform) Bill
Parliament page
26 May 2023
To committee
Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 25 May 2023 concerning the Renters (Reform) Bill and the private rented sector
Parliament page
23 May 2023
To committee
Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 17 May 2023 concerning the introduction of the Renters (Reform) Bill
Parliament page
18 Apr 2023
To committee
Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 6 April 2023 concerning the Government response to the Committee's report on Reforming the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
7 Mar 2023
Briefing note from the National Residential Landlord Association to the Committee concerning evidence given before the Committee on 5 September 2022
Parliament page
7 Feb 2023
Note from Ben Beaumont, Barrister, and Robert Ashdown, CPA, dated 8 January 2023, concerning arbitration in the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
7 Feb 2023
To committee
Letter from the Large Agents Representation Group to the Chair dated 2 February 2023 concerning the property portal for the private rented sector
Parliament page
6 Dec 2022
To committee
Letter from the Minister for Housing and Homelessness to the Chair dated 30 November 2022 concerning Reforming the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
6 Dec 2022
To committee
Letter from the National Residential Landlords Association to the Chair dated 28 November 2022 concerning the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
12 Oct 2022
To committee
Letter from the National Residential Landlords Association to the Chair dated 22 September 2022 following up evidence given to the Committee on Reforming the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page
6 Sep 2022
To committee
Letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Rough Sleeping and Housing to the Chair dated 4 August 2022 concerning the Committee's inquiry into Reforming the Private Rented Sector
Parliament page