§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for improving(a) services to tenants and (b) quality of management of rented housing in 1997. [10767]
§ Mr. Clappison[holding answer 13 January 1997]: In the private rented sector, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has approved two management codes for residential property to be published by the Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors. These cover service charge and rent only properties respectively and will come into force on 17 March. Copies are available in the Library.
The Government will shortly also be implementing most of its package on houses in multiple occupation, which is contained in the Housing Act 1996. These will significantly strengthen the existing powers available to local housing authorities to control standards in houses in multiple occupation. Later in 1997 we intend to publish a code of practice for landlords and local authorities, to be followed by the introduction of a duty on landlords to ensure that their properties are safe.
Later in the year the Housing Corporation will be producing a new social housing standard. This will require registered social landlords to meet certain key standards, including a number related to housing management and services to tenants. In addition, it is further developing the performance indicator system, under which information about RSLs' management and services is made available. It is also updating its tenants' guarantees to reflect these and other developments.
We expect compulsory competitive tendering of local authority housing management and increased involvement of tenants to improve the quality of services by making them more responsive and efficient. Provisions in the Housing Act 1996 will enable landlords in the social rented and private sectors to respond more effectively to the problem of anti-social behaviour.