House of Commons - Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions - Tenth Report

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House of Commons

Session 2002-03
Publications on the internet
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing, Planning, Local Government and the
Regions Committee Publications

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister: Housing,
Planning, Local Government and the Regions -
Tenth Report

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 14 July 2003.

CONTENTS

Terms of Reference

Summary
1. Introduction
2. Housing Health and Safety Rating System (Part 1)
The new rating system
Detailed concerns
Enforcement
Decent homes and disrepair
Fast and pre-emptive action
Costs
Clearance
Duty to report on the condition of housing and duty to inspect
Overcrowding
3. Licensing Houses in Multiple Occupation and Selective Licensing of Private Landlords (Parts 2-4)
The private rented sector
Fit and proper person
Anti-social behaviour
Link between licensing and the HHSRS
Duty of care on landlords
Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation
Definition of HMO
Scope of mandatory licensing
Discretionary licensing
Transition
Selective licensing of landlords
The Government's proposals to extend licensing beyond low demand areas
Secretary of State approval
Sanctions
No rent payable
Compulsory leasing orders
4. Home Information Packs (Part 5)
Background
Rationale
The need for a Home Information Pack, and potential effects of a pack on the housing market
Housing market supply
The need for the Home Information Pack
Regional roll-out
Shelf life of home information packs
Omissions
Low value / low demand areas
Deferral of costs or delaying the Pack
Deferral of payment for the pack
The Home Condition Report
The potential use of Home Condition Reports by lenders
Training of Home Inspectors
Insurance for Home Inspectors
Liability to the purchaser
Energy efficiency
Environmental searches
Content of the search
Role of the Environment Agency
Enforcement
Licensing of estate agents
Speeding up the process
The professionals
Local searches
5. Right to Buy (Part 6)
Background
The Bill
Other proposals for reforming Right to Buy
Curbing sub-letting
Suspensions of Right to Buy in regeneration areas
Advice on home ownership and its consequences
Limitations on named party on deeds
Investment in social housing stock
Right for Councils to buy back 'Right to Buy' properties
Strategic Flexibility for Local Authorities
Other extensions
6. Other matters
Additional matters for inclusion in this Bill
Tenancy Deposit Scheme
Succession to tenancies
Additional matters to be taken forward by ODPM
Lifetime homes
Underwriting housing markets
Regulation of registered social landlords
Conclusions and recommendations
Formal Minutes
Witnesses
List of written evidence
Reports from the ODPM Committee since 2002

VOL 751-III - Oral and Supplementary Written Evidence
Oral Evidence
Monday 16 June 2003
Tuesday 17 June 2003
Monday 23 June 2003
Tuesday 24 June 2003
Tuesday 8 July 2003
Tuesday 15 July 2003
Written Evidence

© Parliamentary copyright 2003
Prepared 18 August 2003