§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the level of rent paid by(a) private tenants and (b) recipients of housing benefit; and if he will make a statement. [3809]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe 1995–96 survey of English housing estimated the average weekly rent of private tenants to be £70 per week. The average weekly rent for private tenants on housing benefit was the same. Assured tenants on benefit paid an average of £8 per week less than those who were not receiving benefit, but there were more benefit recipients in this sector. The table gives full details.
Rents and proportions of private tenants by type of tenancy: HB and non-HB Regulated Assured and assured shorthold Not accessible to the public (e.g. employer) Resident landlord All Average rent (£ a week) HB recipients 39 79 — 45 70 Non-HB 40 87 34 44 69 All 39 84 34 44 70 Proportion in tenancy type Per cent. HB recipients 18 75 0 7 100 Non-HB 10 52 27 12 100 All 12 59 19 10 100 These figures are supported by other research for the Department, which found that when all other factors are held constant, private tenants receiving housing benefit do not pay significantly different rents from tenants who are not on housing benefit.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about unfair rents and rent capping in the last 12 months. [3810]
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§ Mr. ClappisonWe have received a wide range of representations. For example, landlords of regulated tenants argue that they should be freed from the controls of the Rent Act 1977 and allowed to charge market rents; tenants in the deregulated sector argue that full housing benefit should be available to support above average rents. We believe that the current legislation provides the right balance between the interests of landlords, tenants and the taxpayer.