Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in Council Tax Reduction entitlement following migration to Universal Credit on low‑income households, particularly where the Limited Capability for Work or Work‑Related Activity element results in claimants being placed in a higher income band.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local council tax support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. The government has not undertaken an assessment, including any discussions with local authorities, of the potential impact of Universal Credit migration on individual claimants.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with local authorities on the treatment of the Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work‑Related Activity elements of Universal Credit as income for the purposes of Council Tax Reduction calculations.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local council tax support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. The government has not undertaken an assessment, including any discussions with local authorities, of the potential impact of Universal Credit migration on individual claimants.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the fairness of income‑banded Council Tax Reduction schemes where a small increase in Universal Credit entitlement results in a large reduction in Council Tax support.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. This review may include the provision for those migrating between benefits. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is reviewed annually. The government currently has no plans to assess these schemes, however it encourages those who are struggling to pay their council tax bill to discuss their circumstances with their council.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that vulnerable tenants are protected if housing management companies dismiss or ignore evidence of harassment.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Estate management companies managing freehold estates do not have a dedicated role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and harassment. However, they may wish to engage with local authorities and the police to help prevent or deal with such behaviour.
Leaseholders experiencing anti-social behaviour and harassment may contact the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free initial legal advice and information.
Social landlords already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.
Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private landlords will be able to take action to evict anti-social tenants quicker, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour cases.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders. The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
General guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems is published by the Information Commissioner here.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will review the accountability mechanisms for housing management companies that fail to enforce tenancy agreements or antisocial behaviour policies.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Estate management companies managing freehold estates do not have a dedicated role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and harassment. However, they may wish to engage with local authorities and the police to help prevent or deal with such behaviour.
Leaseholders experiencing anti-social behaviour and harassment may contact the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free initial legal advice and information.
Social landlords already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.
Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private landlords will be able to take action to evict anti-social tenants quicker, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour cases.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders. The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
General guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems is published by the Information Commissioner here.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to housing management companies on the use of domestic CCTV in shared housing developments.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Estate management companies managing freehold estates do not have a dedicated role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and harassment. However, they may wish to engage with local authorities and the police to help prevent or deal with such behaviour.
Leaseholders experiencing anti-social behaviour and harassment may contact the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free initial legal advice and information.
Social landlords already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.
Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private landlords will be able to take action to evict anti-social tenants quicker, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour cases.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders. The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
General guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems is published by the Information Commissioner here.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of estate management companies’ responsibilities in addressing antisocial behaviour complaints from tenants and leaseholders.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Estate management companies managing freehold estates do not have a dedicated role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and harassment. However, they may wish to engage with local authorities and the police to help prevent or deal with such behaviour.
Leaseholders experiencing anti-social behaviour and harassment may contact the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free initial legal advice and information.
Social landlords already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.
Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private landlords will be able to take action to evict anti-social tenants quicker, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour cases.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders. The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
General guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems is published by the Information Commissioner here.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce statutory obligations on housing management companies to act promptly and effectively in cases of harassment and antisocial behaviour.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Estate management companies managing freehold estates do not have a dedicated role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and harassment. However, they may wish to engage with local authorities and the police to help prevent or deal with such behaviour.
Leaseholders experiencing anti-social behaviour and harassment may contact the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free initial legal advice and information.
Social landlords already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.
Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private landlords will be able to take action to evict anti-social tenants quicker, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour cases.
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders. The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
General guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems is published by the Information Commissioner here.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his Department will take steps to ensure transparency in the (a) service charges, (b) insurance premiums, (c) permissions for property alterations and (d) other management practices of freehold companies.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. and Rt Hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 80700 on 20 October 2025.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Reform UK - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce (a) statutory limits and (b) oversight mechanisms to prevent excessive administrative fees by freeholders for routine property requests.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. and Rt Hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 80700 on 20 October 2025.