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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if Government will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving more powers to local authorities to (a) regulate and (b) ensure higher living standards for people in the private rented sector.

The Housing Act 2004 already gives powers to local authorities to regulate and enforce standards in the private rented sector. We added to these through the Housing and Planning Act 2016 when we introduced Rent Repayment Orders, Banning Orders and the database of rogue landlords. We also gave local authorities the power to serve financial penalties of up to £30,000, and they can keep the proceeds of this to pay for more targeted enforcement of standards in the worst properties.

So that local authorities can continue to apply these powers effectively, we are reviewing the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, the tool used to assess hazards in rented homes. This will provide a future-proofed system that tackles the worst conditions, helping the most vulnerable people and delivering big savings to the NHS.