§ Ms Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how council tenants and council leaseholders will be able to receive independent advice on the implications of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations for the consultation procedures involved in any housing stock transfer; [96566]
(2) what advice has been given by his Department to local authorities and housing associations regarding the implications of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 for the housing stock transfer process. [96568]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects tenants and council leaseholders involved in a housing stock transfer to have access to independent advice through an Independent Tenant Adviser (ITA), whose role is to provide information and impartial advice on all the implications of the transfer, including the application of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations in respect of tenancy agreements.
A reference to the Regulations is included in the revised version of the Housing Transfer Manual which will be published shortly; and the Housing Corporation has issued a circular to registered social landlords about this matter.