Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to reply to correspondence from the hon. Member for Blackpool North and Cleveleys of 13 December 2021 regarding a constituent and valid forms of identification for voting under the Elections Bill.
Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Leader of HM Official Opposition
A response to my Hon Friend's letter has been issued.
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his policy is on mandating annual inspections by local authority officers of rented properties to ensure standards are being followed.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
We are determined to crack down on those unscrupulous landlords who neglect their properties and exploit their tenants. We want these landlords to either improve the service they offer or leave the sector.
We do not mandate annual inspections, instead, local authorities have the flexibility to focus on locally determined priorities and allocate their resources accordingly.
Local authorities must keep housing conditions under review and all have a duty to use their enforcement powers when they find the most serious ‘category 1’ hazards. We strengthened these powers by introducing financial penalties of up to £30,000, extending rent repayment orders, introducing banning orders for the most serious and prolific offenders
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his policy is on mandatory registration of privately rented properties.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Government has committed to exploring proposals for introducing a landlord register in England as part of a commitment to drive up standards in rented accommodation. We will publish a White Paper in Spring this year that will set out our proposals for reform of the private rented sector.
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his policy is on mandating training for private landlords and letting agents.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Government is committed to raising standards of services provided by landlords and agents in the private rental sector. We do not currently mandate any training for private landlords or letting agents although there are various legislative requirements that they are expected to meet when letting a home in the private rented sector. This includes meeting electrical and gas safety standards and protecting a tenant's deposit with a government approved scheme. The Government provides a 'How to Let' guide to support landlords and agents in meeting their responsibilities.
The Government is considering the recommendations in the report received on the regulation of property agents from Lord Best's working group, and we will continue to work with industry on improving best practice.
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, when he plans to publish the response to the consultation on the review of the Vagrancy Act 1824.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
The Government is clear that no one should be criminalised simply for having nowhere to live and the time has come to reconsider the Vagrancy Act.
Work is ongoing to look at this complex issue and it is important that we look carefully at all options.
We will update on our findings in due course.
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish his conclusions on the review of the Vagrancy Act 1824.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
This is a complex issue which is why the Government reviewed the Act. We have been looking at the options and will update on our findings in due course.
Asked by: Paul Maynard (Conservative - Blackpool North and Cleveleys)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many Disabled Facilities Grant adaptations were delivered in the Blackpool local authority area in the financial year 2019-20.
Answered by Eddie Hughes
Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies, monitors and analyses the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grant adaptations nationally. Data from Foundations shows that 271 adaptations were delivered by Blackpool local authority in 2019-20.