HC Deb 31 October 1988 vol 139 c528W
Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the statement in the Minister for Housing and Planning's personal letter to tenants in housing action trust areas promising a rent freeze before improvements means that, in cases where houses are already improved, those rents will go up.

Mr. Trippier

Under clause 64 of the Housing Bill, a housing action trust will be required to prepare a statement setting out its proposals for its area and to consult the local authority and local residents about them. Until this has been done, and the trust reaches a view on what improvements are necessary, the timing of rent movements for individual properties cannot be forecast.

Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will explain his Department's definition of the term "approved social landlord", referred to in the Minister for Housing and Planning's personal letter to tenants in housing action trust areas.

Mr. Trippier

Clause 79 of the Housing Bill requires that landlords other than local housing authorities to whom housing action trust tenants transfer must be approved by the Housing Corporation. The corporation will require them to demonstrate stability, viability and a commitment to the long-term provision of rents accommodation. The corporation issued a consultation document on the criteria for approval in August and is now considering responses.