Select Committee · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Housing Conditions in England

Status: Open Opened: 3 Jul 2025 52 recommendations 40 conclusions 3 reports

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee is holding an inquiry into the condition of homes in England. The Government has set out plans to deliver a decade of renewal in the provision of social and affordable homes , including a “transformational” and “lasting change in the safety and quality of homes.” Our inquiry will … Show more

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Reports

3 reports
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report - Housing Conditions in the Private Rented Sector HC 42 3 Jul 2026 33 Pending
5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temporary Accommodation HC 1831 22 Apr 2026 38 Responded
4th Report – Housing Conditions in the Social Rented Sector HC 1154 9 Feb 2026 21 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
10 Recommendation 4th Report – Housing Conditions in the … Accepted in Part

Revise fuel poverty definition to include homes meeting minimum energy efficiency standards

In the forthcoming Fuel Poverty Strategy, we recommend that the Government revise the official definition of fuel poverty to reflect the fact that those living in homes compliant with the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard may still struggle to heat their homes sufficiently. (Recommendation, Paragraph 43) Read more

Government response AI summary
The government will not revise the official definition of fuel poverty, but will place a stronger emphasis on energy affordability with a new affordability indicator, and will report annually on average required energy costs as a proportion of household income.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
6 Recommendation 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp… Accepted in Part

The government must require local authorities to carry-out mandatory inspections before properties are first used...

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, in line with the new burdens doctrine, to local authorities … Read more

Government response AI 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 …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
10 Recommendation 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp… Accepted in Part

The government must require all local authorities funded to carry out local audits to assess,...

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 has on children. The government should fund further audits, if … Read more

Government response AI 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.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
12 Recommendation 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp… Accepted in Part

The government must ensure that there are effective sanctions in place for local authorities who...

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 government should publicly name councils who are unwilling to take … Read more

Government response AI 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 …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
16 Conclusion 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp… Accepted in Part

We remain concerned that there is no explicit rule to prevent or restrict councils from...

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 AI 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.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
22 Recommendation 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp… Accepted in Part

The government must require local authorities to conduct mandatory inspections before placing households in temporary...

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 for local authorities on the arrangements that should be put … Read more

Government response AI 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 …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
23 Recommendation 5th Report - Housing Conditions in Temp… Accepted in Part

The ministry should require councils to forecast demand for people with complex needs as part...

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 being used to fill gaps in available provision. The Government … Read more

Government response AI 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 …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Oral evidence sessions

7 sessions
Date Witnesses
7 Jul 2026 Emma Payne · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Joanna Key · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Matthew Pennycook MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government View ↗
14 Apr 2026 Chloe Fletcher · Chartered Institute of Housing, Jennie Daly · Taylor Wimpey, Nigel Cates · The New Homes Ombudsman Service, Richard Smith · National House Building Council, Stephen Teagle · Vistry Group, Steve Turner · Home Builders Federation View ↗
27 Jan 2026 Christa Maciver · Justlife Foundation, Councillor Grace Williams · London Councils, Dr Laura Neilson · Shared Health Foundation, Joe Lane · Office of the Children's Commissioner, Joseph Donohue · Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Matt Downie · Crisis, Paul Kitson · Newham Council, Stephen Philpott · Birmingham City Council View ↗
25 Nov 2025 Ashlea Birch · Manchester City Council, Fiona MacGregor · Regulator of Social Housing, Ian Sanders · Hull City Council, James Wilson · Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Joe Roberts · Cornwall Council, Jonathan Walters · Regulator of Social Housing View ↗
4 Nov 2025 Anny Cullum · ACORN, Ben Beadle · National Residential Landlords Association, Deborah Garvie · Shelter, Dr Jennifer Harris · TDS Charitable Foundation, Kate Markey · Nationwide Foundation, Nye Jones · Generation Rent, Timothy Douglas · Propertymark View ↗
14 Oct 2025 Alistair Smyth · National Housing Federation, Councillor Sarah King · Southwark Council, Craig Moule · Sanctuary, Ian McDermott · G15, Kwajo Tweneboa, Nic Bliss · Stop Social Housing Stigma, Richard Blakeway · Housing Ombudsman Service View ↗
9 Sep 2025 Dr Henry Dawson · Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, Helen Garrett · Building Research Establishment, Michael Erhardt · Disability Rights UK, Millie Brown · Centre for Better Ageing, Professor Sir Michael Marmot · Institute for Health Equity View ↗

Who gave evidence

42 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alistair Smyth · Director of Policy and Research National Housing Federation 1
Anny Cullum · Head of Politics ACORN 1
Ashlea Birch · Neighbourhood Manager (Environmental Health, Trad… Manchester City Council 1
Ben Beadle · Chief Executive National Residential Landlords Association 1
Chloe Fletcher · Head of Policy and External Affairs Chartered Institute of Housing 1
Christa Maciver · Director of Campaigns and Social Change Justlife Foundation 1
Councillor Grace Williams · Deputy Chair and Executive Member for Housing and… London Councils 1
Councillor Sarah King · Leader Southwark Council 1
Craig Moule · Group Chief Executive Sanctuary 1
Deborah Garvie · Policy Manager Shelter 1
Dr Henry Dawson · Senior Lecturer in Housing and Public Health, Car… Chartered Institute of Environmental Health 1
Dr Jennifer Harris · Head of Policy, Research and Social Impact TDS Charitable Foundation 1
Dr Laura Neilson · CEO Shared Health Foundation 1
Emma Payne · Director for Social Housing Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Fiona MacGregor · Chief Executive Regulator of Social Housing 1
Helen Garrett · Principal Consultant Building Research Establishment 1
Ian McDermott · Chief Executive of Peabody and Chair G15 1
Ian Sanders · Principal Environmental Health Officer Private Ho… Hull City Council 1
James Wilson · Head of Environment and Sustainability, Environme… Great Yarmouth Borough Council 1
Jennie Daly · Chief Executive Taylor Wimpey 1
Joanna Key · Director General; Regeneration, Housing and Plann… Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Joe Lane · Deputy Director of Projects Office of the Children's Commissioner 1
Joe Roberts · Head of Building Control, Compliance & Housing Qu… Cornwall Council 1
Jonathan Walters · Deputy Chief Executive Regulator of Social Housing 1
Joseph Donohue · Strategic Lead for Homelessness Greater Manchester Combined Authority 1
Kate Markey · Chief Executive Nationwide Foundation 1
Kwajo Tweneboa 1
Matt Downie · Chief Executive Crisis 1
Matthew Pennycook MP · Minister of State (Minister for Housing and Plann… Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Michael Erhardt · Policy Lead Disability Rights UK 1
Millie Brown · Deputy Director for Homes Centre for Better Ageing 1
Nic Bliss · Campaign Director Stop Social Housing Stigma 1
Nigel Cates · Chief Ombudsman The New Homes Ombudsman Service 1
Nye Jones · Head of Campaigns Generation Rent 1
Paul Kitson · Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy, Housing … Newham Council 1
Professor Sir Michael Marmot · Director Institute for Health Equity 1
Richard Blakeway · Housing Ombudsman Housing Ombudsman Service 1
Richard Smith · Head of Standards, Innovation and Research National House Building Council 1
Stephen Philpott · Director of City Housing Solutions & Support Serv… Birmingham City Council 1
Stephen Teagle · CEO of Partnerships and Regeneration Vistry Group 1
Showing 40 of 42.

Correspondence

16 letters
DateDirectionTitle
15 Jul 2026 To cttee Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Building Safety, Fir…
8 Jul 2026 To cttee Letter from Age UK to the Chair dated 16 June 2026 concerning accessibility sta…
17 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the National Residential Landlords Association to the Chair dated 1…
17 Jun 2026 To cttee Letter from the Nationwide Foundation to the Chair dated 11 November 2025 conce…
22 May 2026 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 2…
19 May 2026 To cttee Letter from the Home Builders Federation to the Chair dated 1 May 2026 concerni…
26 Feb 2026 To cttee Letter from the Regulator of Social Housing to the Chair dated 23 February 2026…
14 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 7…
14 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 9…
3 Dec 2025 To cttee Letter from TDS Charitable Foundation to the Chair dated 24 November 2025 conce…
27 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 2…
20 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 2…
12 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the National Housing Federation to the Chair dated 4 November 2025 …
12 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Housing and Planning to the Chair dated 7…
12 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from Sanctuary Housing to the Chair dated 4 November following up oral e…
15 Oct 2025 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 1…