Rented housing

The legal framework within which local authorities in England allocate their housing stock is contained in Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended). Nominations by local authorities to stock owned by housing associations (also known as private registered providers) are allocated within the same legal framework. This paper explains the statutory framework and the areas of discretion open to authorities when devising their housing allocation policies.

There is currently no overarching statutory regulation of private sector letting or managing agents in England but the Government has said that regulation will be introduced. This briefing paper describes the current regulatory regime in England and includes comparisons with policy in the devolved nations.

This introductory guide provides sources of statistics on constituency level statistics.

The Secure Tenancies (Victims of Domestic Abuse) Bill [HL] 2017-19 completed its Public Bill Committee stage in the House of Commons on 27 March 2018. It is a short Bill which will ensure that certain victims of domestic violence retain a right to a 'lifetime' secure tenancy when fixed-term tenancies become mandatory for English housing authorities under the Housing and Planning Act 2016. This paper provides background on the Bill's progress to date.

This pack has been produced ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 6 March from 2.30-4pm on cladding and remedial fire safety work. The debate will be opened by Steve Reed MP.

There will be a debate, entitled "The effect of Universal Credit on the private rented sector". This will be led by Stephen Lloyd MP and will take place in Westminster Hall at 9.30am on Tuesday 9th January 2018. This landing page brings together relevant material to inform the debate.

This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper describes the specific Government initiatives which have been developed in order to assist first time buyers into home ownership and, in some cases, to help existing owners who are seeking to move. The paper includes some comment on these schemes.

This Commons Library briefing paper provides background on the 2015 Government's intention to apply Local Housing Allowance rates to tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit in the social rented sector. On 25 October 2017, the Prime Minister said that this change would not go ahead as previously planned.

Getting a mortgage is very difficult. High house prices and more restrictive lending conditions make qualifying for a mortgage difficult, especially for first time buyers. An e- Petition which attracted over 147,000 signatures calls on lenders to include an applicant's history of rent payments in their lending decision process. The Debate will be led by Paul Scully MP.

Finding accommodation when leaving prison can be difficult. This note outlines the support available to people leaving prison and the relevant duties of local authorities. It also considers how a prison sentence affects a person's ability to receive Housing Benefit.

Following the fire at Grenfell Tower, this paper sets out the events and commentary around the fire, the relevant building regulations, fire safety laws and housing standards, the Government response to the fire, the responsibilities around re-housing, and previous concerns raised with fire regulations.

This short House of Commons Library briefing paper considers the extent to which foreign ownership of residential property should be considered an issue for the UK housing market.

This House of Commons Library briefing paper explains the powers English and Welsh local authorities have to use the planning system to limit the development of new houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

Analysis of Government policy, and its impact, to increase the supply of privately rented properties in England, as well as analysis of policy proposals from those within the sector, both from large-scale institutional investors and from small-scale individual landlords.

This Commons Library briefing paper explains the law in relation to retaliatory eviction of private tenants and evidence around the extent to which it occurs, before going on to explain reforms to the law. The paper covers the position in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.