§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will produce a charter for private rented sector tenants giving the tenants(a) first refusal to buy their houses, (b) the right to apply to the courts for a change of manager and (c) the right to apply to the courts for compulsory acquisition of the property by the local authority.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Department is preparing a guide for tenants in the private rented sector which will explain their rights and responsibilities. It will also emphasise the support and best practise standards which those tenants can expect from their local authorities.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will produce new guidelines for local authorities on harassment within the private rented sector, placing a duty on local authorities to follow up complaints.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesWe have no plans to do so. Tenants already have statutory protection from harassment and illegal eviction under the provisions of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to establish a tenants charter in Wales to include(a) specified rights for tenants to ensure that landlords undertake essential repairs within a set time scale, (b) the elimination of discrimination against tenants in receipt of benefits, (c) consultation and committee representation rights for tenants and (d) new safe tenancies established for tenants in properties having absentee landlords.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe principal elements of policy here are set out in the recently published charter for tenants of council housing in Wales, and the tenants guarantee appropriate to housing associations. A guide for tenants in the private rented sector is in preparation.