§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will list by Rent Service area the localities used by the Rent Service in(a) September 2001 and (b) January 2002 to determine the local reference rent and single room rent; [34552]
(2) what requirements the Rent Service has to consult on changes to the geographical extent of localities used to determine local reference rents and single room rents; [34553]
959W(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal memorandum issued to officers of the Rent Service following the introduction of Statutory Instrument No. 3561; [34554]
(4) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Rent Service report on the impact on the number of localities of the introduction of Statutory Instrument No. 3561. [34555]
§ Malcolm WicksOur policy is that local reference rents should reflect the generality of the market and must therefore be based on an area large enough to take account of the bigger picture which reflects a more generalised choice of housing. Localities are intended to reflect the qualities (both good and bad) of an area. Details of Rent Service localities are not published because markets can change rapidly rendering such information out of date and meaningless. Localities are necessarily fluid in order to reflect the housing market. Current Rent Service guidance states that localities should be reviewed on a monthly basis.
Rent Officers determine localities by using their professional judgment, expertise and knowledge of the local housing market. There is no requirement for the Rent Service to consult formally about these arrangements.
The technical advice and guidance circular on valuation good practice, which is used by rent officers in England, is the responsibility of the Rent Service. A copy of the circular, which has also been shared with Rent Officers in Wales and Scotland, has been placed in the Library.
There has been no report from the Rent Service on the impact on the number of localities since the introduction of Statutory Instrument 3561. The amendments introduced by that instrument are designed to ensure that our policy is achieved and to restore certainty. They are not designed to change the way in which localities or local reference and single room rents are decided. The position for people claiming Housing Benefit is therefore unchanged.