HL Deb 20 April 1990 vol 518 cc305-6WA
Lord Bird wood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in implementing Part IV of the Housing Act 1988, as it affects the creation and approval of Tenants' Choice landlords by the Housing Corporation; and

How many Tenants' Choice landlords have been approved and what are their identities.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)

Part IV of the Housing Act 1988 gave the Housing Corporation statutory responsibility in England for the approval of Tenants' Choice landlords. The corporation has no responsibility for the creation of such landlords, though it has powers to provide information, advice and assistance to persons considering applying for approval. The Act received Royal Assent on 15th November 1988 and the relevant provisions came into force in January 1989. To date the Housing Corporation has approved 15 landlords. These are: Walterton and Elgin Community Homes Ltd; Network Housing Association; Bournville Village Trust; Jephson Homes Housing Association; Notting Hill Housing Trust; Addison Housing Association; Rural Midlands Housing Association; Paddington Churches Housing Association; Phoenix Housing Association; Muir Group Housing Association; Merseyside Improved Homes; Thames Valley Housing Society; Coastal Counties Housing Associaton; Family Housing Association; Soho Housing Association.

Lord Birdwood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What criteria for assessment of suitability as a Tenants' Choice landlord have been applied in each case.

Lord Hesketh

Under Section 94 of the Housing Act 1988, approval of landlords for Tenants Choice is a function of the Housing Corporation. Certain categories of body —public sector landlords, county councils, and other bodies which the corporation has reason to believe might not be independent of such landlords or councils—may not be approved. The corporation is required to establish criteria to be satisfied by other landlords seeking approval. The corporation published approval criteria in January 1989, and has applied these in each case.