Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent assessment he has made of the prevalence of the use of section 21 notices for properties to subsequently be changed from a private rented or student rented house into a short-term holiday let.

The Department does not hold data on the prevalence of the use of section 21 notices for properties to subsequently be changed from a private rented or student rented house into a short-term let.

The Department is committed to increasing security of tenure by abolishing section 21 evictions and we will publish a landmark White Paper later this Spring that will set out proposals to create a fairer and better quality private rented sector.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is also planning to launch a call for evidence in 2022 to seek views on a range of issues that arise from the increase in short-term letting, including housing supply, health and safety regulations compliance and anti-social behaviour. The call for evidence will be followed by a consultation, which will enable the Government to put forward proportionate policy options based on a firm evidence base.