MPs open inquiry into social and PRS housing conditions   – Mortgage Strategy

MPs have launched an inquiry into damp, mould and other poor conditions across the private rented sector social housing.

The committee will also study how the government will ensure that new-build homes are of good quality, in light of its target to build 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament. 

MPs will focus on four key questions on the private rented sector: 

• Does the Renters’ Rights Bill go far enough to address poor housing conditions in the private rented sector?   

• How effective will the introduction of the decent homes standard be at improving the condition of homes in the private rented sector? 

• What impact will the introduction of the decent homes standard have on landlords in the private rented sector? 

• What impact would applying Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector have on landlords, and will this affect housing supply in the private rented sector? 

Housing committee chair Florence Eshalomi says: “We are in a housing crisis and the time for action is long overdue. Too many people, whether in the rented sector or in social housing, suffer from appalling housing conditions.  

Eshalomi adds: “Whether it is residents living in poorly insulated homes, experiencing overcrowding, or enduring housing with damp or mould, it’s crucial we see effective action to address these issues. 

“Examining the government’s decent homes standard, the introduction of ‘Awaab’s law’, and the passage of the Renters Reform Bill, we want to probe how far these policies will go to address the poor housing conditions which blight the lives of too many people in England today.” 

The committee will accept written submissions on this inquiry until 15 August.