The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (the
Department) aims to ensure the rented sector is fair for tenants,
by legislating and creating policies used to regulate the sector.
Local authorities are responsible for regulating their local
rental markets and ensuring landlords comply with legal
obligations. They choose how to regulate based on local
priorities and can draw on a range of investigation and
enforcement tools available.
An estimated 11 million people rent privately in England, and the
sector has doubled in size in the last 20 years. Renters face
several challenges including increasing rents, a rising number of
low-earners and families renting long-term, and the prevalence of
“no-fault” evictions leaving households at risk of homelessness.
Poor quality housing also poses serious risks to health and
safety, and the conduct of landlords can impact tenants’
wellbeing. The Department recognises the challenges within the
sector and has committed to proposing reforms in a white paper,
to be published in 2022.
Based on a report by the National Audit Office, the Committee
took evidence on 31 January 2022 from the Department for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The Committee published
its report on 13 April 2022. This is the government’s response to
the Committee’s report.
Download the report: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/28489/documents/171680/default/
