Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultation they have held with local government on the enforcement of any new regulations for mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We are working to bring into force regulations on mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector as soon as possible, subject to parliamentary approval and timetable. As outlined in the Government response to the consultation on Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector, published on 29 January 2019, we will work with industry to produce guidance for landlords setting out the skills and qualifications relevant to determining competence of those carrying out electrical inspections. We intend to work with local authorities in England as we develop the range of sanctions available to them for non-compliance.
We regularly consult with stakeholder groups including tenants, and in July 2018, we updated our ‘How to’ guides, a series of checklists for renting in England which must be provided to tenants at the outset of all new tenancies. Further consultation with tenant groups will take place when the Electrical Safety Regulations come into force to raise tenant awareness about the changes and the ‘How to’ guides will be updated accordingly.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultations are being held with consumer groups on ways to ensure that tenants are aware of electrical safety checks in the private rented sector.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We are working to bring into force regulations on mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector as soon as possible, subject to parliamentary approval and timetable. As outlined in the Government response to the consultation on Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector, published on 29 January 2019, we will work with industry to produce guidance for landlords setting out the skills and qualifications relevant to determining competence of those carrying out electrical inspections. We intend to work with local authorities in England as we develop the range of sanctions available to them for non-compliance.
We regularly consult with stakeholder groups including tenants, and in July 2018, we updated our ‘How to’ guides, a series of checklists for renting in England which must be provided to tenants at the outset of all new tenancies. Further consultation with tenant groups will take place when the Electrical Safety Regulations come into force to raise tenant awareness about the changes and the ‘How to’ guides will be updated accordingly.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made with plans, announced in January, to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
We are working to bring into force regulations on mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector as soon as possible, subject to parliamentary approval and timetable. As outlined in the Government response to the consultation on Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector, published on 29 January 2019, we will work with industry to produce guidance for landlords setting out the skills and qualifications relevant to determining competence of those carrying out electrical inspections. We intend to work with local authorities in England as we develop the range of sanctions available to them for non-compliance.
We regularly consult with stakeholder groups including tenants, and in July 2018, we updated our ‘How to’ guides, a series of checklists for renting in England which must be provided to tenants at the outset of all new tenancies. Further consultation with tenant groups will take place when the Electrical Safety Regulations come into force to raise tenant awareness about the changes and the ‘How to’ guides will be updated accordingly.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether landlords and letting agents should be prevented from renting properties if they do not possess an up-to-date gas safety certificate.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
All landlords must provide a tenant with a gas safety certification at the start of the tenancy and within 28 days of each annual gas safety check, if there is a gas installation. Landlords of tenants on assured shorthold tenancies (which started or were renewed after 1st October 2015) cannot serve an eviction notice under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 if the gas safety certificate has not been provided.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what grant schemes are available to home owners to improve electrical safety in their dwellings.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Department does not run any grant schemes for home owners to improve electrical safety in their dwellings.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration has been given to the merits of introducing free electrical safety checks for homes owned by people over 75.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
The Department has no plans to introduce free electrical safety checks for homes owned by people aged over 75.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the numbers of owner-occupied dwellings in England that (1) require a rewire, and (2) have residual current device protection.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Data on electrical safety of dwellings is collected in MHCLG’s English Housing Survey. The latest data (2016) is available (attached) online: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/724422/DA5201_Disrepair_and_electrics_-_dwellings.xlsx
The latest data from 2016 shows that 75 per cent of owner occupied dwellings had a residual current device in a consumer unit or separate residual current devices.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to improve electrical safety in the private rented sector.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
Local authorities have strong powers to crack down on rogue landlords, drive up standards and help ensure properties are free of potentially dangerous hazards to tenants’ health and safety.
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords to keep electrical installations in repair and proper working order. Mandatory five yearly electrical installation checks are required for Houses in Multiple Occupation.
An enabling power was included in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 allowing requirements for electrical safety standards in the private rented sector, and their enforcement, to be set through secondary legislation at a later date. Following Royal Assent of the Act, a Working Group of relevant experts was established to provide recommendations to ministers on what, if any, legislative requirements should be introduced. The Working Group report has been published online at:
The working group has recommended introducing five yearly mandatory electrical installation checks for private rented property and that other safety measures be encouraged as good practice and set out in guidance.
The Government will consult in the new year to test the recommendations of the working group to ensure that any regulation introduced is balanced and works for landlords and tenants. We also want to take account of the conclusions of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety led by Dame Judith Hackitt before making policy decisions.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to make an announcement on mandatory electrical safety checks in the private rented sector.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
All homes should be decent and safe. Following Royal Assent of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, a Working Group of relevant experts was established to provide recommendations to ministers on what, if any, legislative requirements for electrical safety in the private rented sector should be introduced. The Working Group has concluded and their report and recommendations are currently being considered.
Asked by: Lord Tope (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what incentives or financial assistance are available to small business to help make their premises more accessible to all users.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Equality Act 2010 includes a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for their staff. Guidance on compliance with the Equality Act is available at https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010-guidance.
Small businesses may wish to seek advice from their Local Authorities about possible financial assistance available in their local area. Some local areas have also established growth hubs which bring together public and private sector partners to promote, co-ordinate and deliver business support. The national Business Support Helpline (0300 456 3565) can direct businesses to the right local contact, and also provides advice and support on a wide range of issues.