§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a national scheme to provide accreditation for private landlords. [37843]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe support the initiative taken by local authorities and others to develop voluntary accreditation schemes for landlords. We have no plans to establish a national scheme. Establishing, monitoring and enforcing such a scheme would be bureaucratic and costly. However, we are concerned about the problems of poor stock condition and management in the sector. Our Manifesto proposals for licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation will tackle those properties where the risks to health and safety tend to be the greatest.