§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many cases have been referred by tenants of assured shorthold tenancies to rent assessment committees in each year since the introduction of the Housing Act 1988; how many determinations have been made as a result of such referrals; and what has been the average reduction of rent consequent on those determinations; [2406]
Rent assessment committees, England—caseload for rent referrals under section 22 Housing Act 1988 since 1989 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 11995 Number of referrals 166 423 638 765 994 1,583 1,520 Number of determinations 33 77 237 240 284 444 519 Average rent reduction (pa)(£)2 813 979 763 728 834 1,359 1,246 Number of determinations declined (insufficient similar lettings) 22 14 15 10 16 8 3 Number of determinations declined (rent not significantly high) 36 129 144 173 194 378 424 Determinations may also be declined on the grounds that the Committee has no jurisdiction to make a determination and where a referral has been withdrawn. 1 To date. 2 These exclude the London and South Western committees where the figures were unavailable. My Department's consultation paper "The Legislative Framework for Private Renting" issued in June 1995, proposed to repeal the right of assured shorthold tenants to refer to committees for a rent determination under section 22 of the Housing Act 1988. In the light of responses to that paper, I have decided to retain this right of referral.
§ Mr. RaynsfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total number of tenants in assured shorthold tenancies who have been receiving housing benefit in each year since the introduction of the Housing Act 1988; and how many of these have had their rents determined by a rent assessment committee. [2407]
§ Mr. CurryThe estimated number of tenants in assured shorthold tenancies in England receiving housing benefit is as follows:
- 1989: figures not available
- 1990: 25,000
- 1991–92: figures not available
- 1992–93: figures not available
- 1993–94: 300,000
- 1994–95: 300,000
These estimates are from the 1990 private renters survey and the survey of English housing. Like all estimates from sample surveys, they are subject to sampling error.
Tenants seeking a rent determination by a rent assessment committee are not required to inform the committee whether they are in receipt of housing benefit.