§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had about the introduction of further legislation to control the activities of unscrupulous landlords; and if he will make a statement. [146017]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular meetings with Whitehall colleagues and the Assembly to discuss a wide range of issues including housing matters.
The Government are committed to introducing a national mandatory licensing scheme, which aims to provide safe, acceptable living conditions without reducing the supply of private rented accommodation. The licensing proposals include changing the legal definition of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to bring many more properties into the ambit of registration (including most student accommodation). The proposals will be introduced at the earliest parliamentary opportunity. The primary legislation will be on an England and Wales basis 351W but the National Assembly would have the opportunity to influence the direction of licensing in Wales through secondary legislative powers.