§ 9. Mr. Budgenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements are in existence for monitoring the effects of the Rent Act.
§ Mr. FreesonMy Department has commissioned a small-scale survey into the effects of the Rent Act 1974 in London. Further and broader-based research into the private rented sector as a whole is being undertaken as part of the review of the Rent Acts.
§ Mr. BudgenDoes the Minister agree that there should be a countrywide review of the effects of the Rent Acts in drying up the supply of private rented accommodation before more of the taxpayers' money is wasted on other sectors of the housing market?
§ Mr. FreesonCertainly the idea of reviewing the operation of the Rent Act 1974 is accepted. As I have indicated, it will be undertaken as part of the general review of rent legislation.
§ Mr. George CunninghamHas the Minister noticed the account of the case in the courts in which permanent residents in a hostel were held to be tenants and not licensees? Will he ensure that that aspect is examined urgently, so that legislation may be passed if that is necessary?
§ Mr. FreesonI shall certainly take aboard the case to which my hon. Friend refers and check the papers on the matter. 410 If there is a general problem here, or even the implications of a problem in law, I shall take it aboard in the review.
§ Mr. SainsburyDoes the Minister realise that there are certain areas, of which my constituency is an example, in which the private rented sector is of well above average importance? Will he consider implementing a review of those areas much more urgently than the general review?
§ Mr. FreesonI do not think that there is a particular need to select areas for the purpose of reviewing rent legislation. We are aware of the pattern of tenure, by and large, throughout the country. It varies from town to town and from one region to another, according to letting privately, owner-occupation, and the like. We can base our review of the legislation on the known information.