Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential capacity of a (a) landlord or (b) letting agent to increase a tenant's utility bill mid-way through an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract.

Many private tenants are responsible for choosing their provider for energy, broadband and other services and therefore for paying their own utility bills. An all-inclusive tenancy is where the tenant is charged rent and other bills such as utilities as one payment. In addition to rent this may include utility bills, phone / broadband bills, Council tax, TV licence, and other services.

Where the landlord is responsible for paying the energy supplier and bills the tenant separately to rent, the landlord can only charge for the ‘maximum resale price’ which includes the energy the tenant has used, the tenant’s share of the standing charge, and the VAT owed.

In February 2022 the Government announced a £9.1 billion energy bills rebate package, worth up to £350 each for around 28 million households. Domestic energy customers in Great Britain will receive a £200 reduction in energy bills this Autumn, which will be paid back automatically over the next 5 years.