HC Deb 23 February 1983 vol 37 cc928-9
19. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has of the percentage of houses in the private sector that are empty and treated as voids; and what have been the corresponding figures for each of the past five years for which records are available.

Sir George Young

Local authorities' 1982 housing investment programme returns provide the latest available estimate that about 4.3 per cent. of private dwellings in England were vacant in April 1982 for all reasons. Authorities' estimates are not generally based on detailed surveys and their accuracy will vary, the private sector figures being less firmly based than the corresponding ones for the public sector.

The corresponding percentages for the four preceding years were 4 per cent. in 1978 and 1979, and 4.1 per cent. in 1980 and 1981.

Mr. Janner

Is not the truth about housing in the private sector that the shortage is not one of land, as the Government proclaim, but of money to enable people either to buy or rent houses in that sector? Does he agree that the Government should now recognise the need to put money into the public sector, where more and more disadvantaged people are having more and more trouble in having the decent roof over their heads to which they are entitled?

Sir George Young

There has been a tremendous underspend by local authorities this year. They have not been able to spend the resources that the Government have made available to them. Next year those resources will be about 15 per cent. higher than they were this year. With regard to the private sector, I am not aware of a shortage of resources in building societies for people who want to buy.

Mr. Hill

Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the reasons why so many private sector houses are left vacant is the abysmally low rents under the fair rents system, the two-year phasing for rents and the fact that as soon as a private house is rented the occupant demands the maximum maintenance and repairs? Does he agree that it is, therefore, almost impossible for the private landlord to let a house that has been void for some years?

Sir George Young

The Housing Act 1980 addressed itself to the balance between landlord and tenant and recognised that the balance had shifted too far towards the tenant. With regard to property remaining empty, we have introduced shorthold. I deplore the irresponsible claim of the Opposition that they will repeal shorthold should they be returned to power.

Mr. Stephen Ross

Is the Minister aware that some of the houses that are empty are in conservation areas and are not therefore rateable by the local authority? Does he agree that that is one way in which those properties could be brought back into occupation? Is he further aware that I know of two such properties in my home town?

Sir George Young

I shall examine that problem. However, I should be surprised if that is the only reason why those properties are being kept empty and whether it would have more than a marginal impact if they were rated.