Recommendations & Conclusions
3 items
8
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Deferred
The rate of non-decency in the private rented sector (PRS) is much higher than in the social housing sector, so we welcome the introduction of a legally binding decent homes standard (DHS). The cost to landlords of meeting the new standard could, in some instances, become an obstacle to compliance, …
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The rate of non-decency in the private rented sector (PRS) is much higher than in the social housing sector, so we welcome the introduction of a legally binding decent homes standard (DHS). The cost to landlords of meeting the new standard could, in some instances, become an obstacle to compliance, but we do not think this point should be overstated. As the Government says, four-fifths of PRS homes already Reforming the Private Rented Sector 59 meet the social housing DHS. Furthermore, since compliance with criterion A (the requirement that all homes be free of category 1 hazards) is already effectively a legal requirement, under the Homes (Fit for Human Habitation) Act 2018, this part of the new DHS would not place a significant additional expectation on landlords, and the Government should feel under no obligation to consider the financial burden on landlords whose properties do not comply.
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Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the introduction of a legally binding Decent Homes Standard (DHS) and has held technical consultations with stakeholders to consider implementation issues. These include the time landlords need to comply, how to balance certainty and minimum standards, and the need to align implementation …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
9
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Deferred
In respect of criteria B, C and D, the Government says it is considering a cap on costs, above which landlords would be considered compliant, as is already the case with the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). We agree with this, on the basis that it would be unreasonable and …
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In respect of criteria B, C and D, the Government says it is considering a cap on costs, above which landlords would be considered compliant, as is already the case with the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). We agree with this, on the basis that it would be unreasonable and counter-productive to expose landlords with older stock to the cost of upgrades. In the case of the MEES and criterion D, however, this should not mean that some homes get neglected, especially given the extremely strong correlation between energy efficiency and decency. We also do not understand why the Government does not simply align criterion D with the MEES. It would seem an easy, if modest, simplification of an overly complicated regulatory regime.
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Government response AI summary
The government is considering a cap on costs and alignment of criterion D with MEES, and is working to understand landlords’ circumstances through ongoing technical consultations.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
20
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Reforming the Private Re…
Deferred
We recommend that the Government use the powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, if passed by Parliament, to implement a tourist accommodation registration scheme as soon as possible. We ask that the Government also update us on whether the scheme could and will be used to allow local authorities …
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We recommend that the Government use the powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, if passed by Parliament, to implement a tourist accommodation registration scheme as soon as possible. We ask that the Government also update us on whether the scheme could and will be used to allow local authorities to protect their communities from the holiday-let market. The Government should also announce what further action it will take, as soon as the scheme has clarified the extent of the damage being caused by the sector.
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Government response AI summary
The government is introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets and consulted on a new use class. They are carefully considering responses and will respond in due course.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government