HC Deb 04 November 1992 vol 213 cc235-6W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidelines requesting that each property within the private rented sector should be issued a minimum and maximum controlled rent level within the maximum rent payable when the property is proven to be of a set standard.

Mr. Baldry

No. Years of rent controls have contributed to the decline in the private rented sector. We removed these from most new lettings as part of the package of deregulation measures introduced by the Housing Act 1988 designed to revive the sector.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to ensure that tenants are enabled to take effective legal action against private rented sector landlords who default on repair obligations.

Mr. Baldry

Tenants can already take action against private landlords who fail to carry out repairs either by taking the landlord to court themselves or by bringing the matter to the attention of their local authority. Local authorities have powers to require private landlords to carry out repairs or if necessary to do the work themselves and charge the landlord. These powers were considerably strengthened by the Housing Act 1988. We therefore have no plans to make any further amendments to the legislation.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to encourage the establishment of rental deposit boards to monitor the return to private rented sector tenants of deposits against damage.

Mr. Baldry

Although we do not consider the compulsory use of rent deposit boards to be desirable, we would welcome any proposals to set up such schemes on a voluntary basis.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will issue guidelines to local authorities to encourage the setting up of licensing and monitoring systems for the private rented sector.

Mr. Baldry

No. We would not wish to introduce further regulation into the private rented sector.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will establish a committee of inquiry into private rented accommodation.

Mr. Baldry

No.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to establish a new form of protected tenancy within the private rented sector, with limited grounds granted for early repossession.

Mr. Baldry

We have no plans to introduce such a tenancy.