5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation

Select Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee HC 1831 22 April 2026
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 38 items (24 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 38 of 38 classified)
Accepted 13
Accepted in Part 6
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 7
Not Addressed 2
Rejected 3
Government response
Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation: Government response to the Select Committee Report · published 24 Jun 2026
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Recommendations & Conclusions

6 results
6 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The government must require local authorities to carry-out mandatory inspections before properties are first used...
Recommendation
The government must require local authorities to carry-out mandatory inspections before properties are first used as temporary accommodation, ahead of new households moving in and periodically thereafter. As we mentioned in our last report, the government should provide additional funding, … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states existing guidance obliges housing authorities to review conditions and that good management involves inspections. It highlights a new power for local authorities (from summer 2026) to issue fines for Category 1 hazards in private rented temporary accommodation, but does not commit to mandatory inspections or additional funding.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The government must require all local authorities funded to carry out local audits to assess,...
Recommendation
The government must require all local authorities funded to carry out local audits to assess, and report on, the suitability of the space provided to households in different types of temporary accommodation and the impact the availability of this space … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states that existing requirements address overcrowding but commits to working with the sector to better understand the issue, ensure enforcement guidance highlights overcrowding, and investigate options to improve data collection on overcrowding and hazards to strengthen the evidence base.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The government must ensure that there are effective sanctions in place for local authorities who...
Recommendation
The government must ensure that there are effective sanctions in place for local authorities who repeatedly breach the six-week limit and who are not taking reasonable steps to eliminate their use of B&Bs by the end of the Parliament. The … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states that data on councils breaching the six-week B&B limit is already published and they will use existing escalation routes to address poor performance and call out councils. They also commit to clarifying expectations for out-of-area placements and engaging with stakeholders to address poor practice.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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16 Conclusion Accepted in Part
We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from...
Conclusion
We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from housing families, including single mothers with children, in accommodation where they need to share facilities with single male adults. (Conclusion, Paragraph 55)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that safeguarding risks must be mitigated and will engage with the sector to consider amending guidance to ensure it is absolutely clear that children's safety must be prioritised in temporary accommodation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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22 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The government must require local authorities to conduct mandatory inspections before placing households in temporary...
Recommendation
The government must require local authorities to conduct mandatory inspections before placing households in temporary accommodation to determine that the accommodation they have arranged adequately caters for people’s physical and medical needs. The Government should also strengthen the statutory guidance … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government does not commit to mandatory inspections before placement but states that good temporary accommodation management involves inspections. It commits to strengthening statutory guidance by reviewing and updating the Care Act 2014 guidance and publishing new support guidance to improve practice for those with complex needs.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23 Recommendation Accepted in Part
The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part...
Recommendation
The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part of their action plans to highlight where there are gaps in provision and demonstrate how the funds allocated through the Local Authority Housing Fund are … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states that local authorities are developing supported housing strategies that will forecast demand for complex needs, and these plans will be published. Regarding M4(2) standards, they consulted on proposals for a national minimum of 40% new housing to meet M4(2) standards and are analyzing responses, with a response to come in due course.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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