Working with local authorities has shown that providing access to larger properties in the private rented sector can be a positive solution to the problem of overcrowding in some circumstances said Minister for Housing Caroline Flint during a House of Commons debate recently.
Her comments were in answer to a question by Dari Taylor (Stockton South, Labour) who wanted to know what assessment had been made of the capacity of the private rented sector to contribute to a reduction in the number of families in overcrowded accommodation.
Flint said: “The review of the private rented sector that Julie Rugg is undertaking will report in October and is focusing on four key themes: how to create an accessible private rented sector; security of tenure for tenants; the provision of safe and decent homes; and improving landlord-tenant relations.
“Over the past few months, I have had a number of conversations with colleagues in the House, local authority leaders and others about the question of whether, if it comes up to standard, the private rented sector could be part of a family of providers, as well as about tackling houses in multiple occupation and overcrowding. I hope that that will all feed into the housing reform Green Paper that the Prime Minister announced will be forthcoming at the end of this year.
But some of the proposals being made drew criticism from Robert Goodwill (Shadow Minister, Transport; Scarborough & Whitby, Conservative).
He said: “Has it dawned on the Minister that the move to pay housing benefit directly to tenants rather than to landlords for new tenancies will result in an increase in evictions and a reluctance among private landlords to let their houses to people on benefit?”
Flint replied: “That is a somewhat patronising attitude towards tenants. I understand that the driver for the change was about ensuring that those renting in the private sector who have traditionally been in receipt of housing benefit can take more responsibility for finding their housing and assume more financial responsibility, too. The change is about developing a more independent approach, rather than a dependent approach. I am sure that safeguards are in place, particularly for vulnerable tenants, to ensure that rents are paid and, where appropriate, that adequate and suitable support is given either by Jobcentre Plus or local authorities, or by charitable organisations working with particular groups of vulnerable people.”
There was further debate over concerns that the private sector was taking advantage of the housing market because people cannot afford to buy their own properties, which in turn was driving up rents in the private sector.
Flint concluded: “Although we seek to engage with positive landlords in the private rented sector and to tackle landlords' bad practices, the issue is also about building more affordable homes for low-cost ownership and, importantly, for rent.
“That is why we are investing more than £8 billion in the next few years. We want to increase the number of homes being built and those that are available for social rent.”
