§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reason rent officers are(a) obliged to investigate private landlords and (b) not obliged to investigate registered social landlords. [158984]
§ Keith HillWhere requested to do so by a local authority, the Rent Service is obliged to assess the rental value of a property let to a tenant of a private landlord or a Registered Social landlord in connection with a claim for Housing Benefit.
Housing Benefit regulations set out the circumstances in which cases are referred to the Rent Service. In respect of tenants of private landlords, local authorities must refer claims on which rent allowance may be awarded, or where they have been notified of a change relating to rent allowance, or where a prospective occupier is likely to make a claim for rent allowance. In respect of tenants of Registered Social Landlords, local authorities may refer the case where they consider that the dwelling is too large or the rent is unreasonably high. In such cases the local authority must state the reason for the application, and the rent officer must make a determination in the normal way.
In respect of properties let to tenants of private landlords or Registered Social Landlords, where the tenancy commenced before 15 January 1989, the landlord or tenant may ask the Rent Service to determine a fair rent for a property.