Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 4
4
Deferred
Paragraph: 27
Delayed M4(2) technical consultation causes ongoing uncertainty for disabled people and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Moreover, it is unclear why the Department did not seek to launch the further ‘technical consultation’ soon after its July 2022 announcement of its M4(2) policy change. The delay to implementation continues to afflict the daily lives of thousands of disabled people who are searching for accessible new build homes, while stakeholders from across the sector remain “left in the dark”, with little clarity as to the timeline for implementing the M4(2) policy change.
Government Response Summary
The government deflects from the question about the delay in the M4(2) technical consultation, instead stating that local authorities are responsible for assessing housing needs and managing their stock. It rejects mandating accessible housing registers but will explore further guidance for local authorities on providing accessibility information.
Paragraph Reference:
27
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
12. Local authorities are best placed to decide the types of social homes their communities need, and the government expects them to have a robust understanding of the accessibility of homes in their own housing stock. 13. Under section 166A of the Housing Act 1996, a local housing authority’s allocation scheme must include a statement as to the housing authority’s policy on offering people a choice of accommodation or the opportunity to express preferences about the accommodation to be allocated to them. It is for housing authorities to determine their policy on providing choice or the ability to express preferences. 14. Section 166A(9) of the Housing Act 1996 also sets out that local housing authorities are required to frame their social housing allocation schemes in such a way that an applicant has the right to request such general information as will enable them to assess whether housing accommodation appropriate to their needs is likely to be made available and, if so, how long it is likely to be before such accommodation becomes available. 15. For a local authority to provide such information to an applicant who requires accessible housing they will need to know both the accessibility needs of the applicant and have records of the accessible housing in their area and its availability. 16. Local housing authorities are free to set their own allocation schemes in accordance with the legislation and statutory guidance and will take different approaches to meeting these requirements in relation to accessible accommodation. For some this may be done by maintaining a separate register of accessible housing while others may choose to do this by integrating this information into their main housing register. 17. The government values local authorities’ ability to design allocation schemes to meet local needs. The government therefore does not believe that mandating accessible housing registers is an appropriate action to take. The government does however agree with the Committee on the importance of local authorities holding detailed information on the accessibility of their properties and being able to provide prospective tenants with information about accessible housing. We will explore if further guidance, or clarification of existing guidance, is needed to support local housing authorities in effectively managing their stock and in making accessible housing information available in meeting the requirements under section 166A of the Housing Act 1996. We will work with local housing authorities on this and explore the sharing of best practice. LUHC Select Committee Report conclusion: The proposed new Property Portal presents a compelling opportunity to improve information about the accessibility of properties in the private rented sector. This would provide a clear benefit to disabled people.