Rented Accommodation (Hansard, 19 October 1999)

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he is ensuring that private landlords fulfil their responsibilities to maintain the standard of rented accommodation. [94494]

§ Miss Geraldine Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that private landlords fulfil their responsibilities to maintain the standard of rented accommodation. [94532]

§ Mr. Mullin
Local authorities are responsible for enforcing standards of fitness in privately rented properties. We intend to reform the housing fitness500W standard by introducing a hazard based rating system, which will enable local authorities to assess the fitness of privately rented housing more effectively. The introduction of mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation will place duties on landlords of this type of accommodation to maintain their properties to decent minimum standards and ensure the health and safety of their tenants.

§ Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for raising the quality of private rented accommodation. [94493]

§ Miss Geraldine Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have for raising the quality of private rented accommodation. [94534]

§ Mr. Mullin
We are committed to introducing mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupations where the worst conditions are often found. This will place duties on landlords of this type of accommodation to maintain their properties to decent minimum standards and ensure the health and safety of their tenants. We also intend to reform the housing fitness standard by introducing a hazard-based rating system which will enable local authorities to assess the fitness of privately rented housing more effectively. In addition, we support the development of voluntary initiatives to raise standards in the private rented sector such as good practice codes and landlord accreditation schemes.