§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish estimates on the likely changes in average rents paid in(a) council housing, (b) housing association properties and (c) privately rented housing in (i) Wales and (ii) the area covered by the valleys initiative as a consequence of the Housing Bill.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Bill will have no effect on the determination of council house rents: this will continue to be a matter for the local authorities. It is not possible to give reliable estimates, for the whole or any part of Wales, of the Bill's possible implications for housing association or private sector rents. Rents charged by associations will continue to reflect the cost of providing accommodation and the availability of public subsidy. As regards private436W lettings, existing tenants will continue to be entitled to a fair rent, while rents for new lettings will primarily be for agreement between landlords and tenants.