Briefings and responses

As we highlighted to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, councils have been concerned for some time now that a minority of exempt accommodation providers operating across the country fall short in providing good quality, personalised support for people in vulnerable circumstances.

The LGA wants to see a locally-led fully funded oversight and enforcement regime for exempt accommodation within a strengthened national regulatory framework. This should include a requirement for all exempt accommodation providers to be Registered Providers. This will ensure that councils’ responses can be tailored to the challenges they face and the contexts of local housing markets and demand.

Councils have a responsibility to support, safeguard, care for and house vulnerable members of their community. The provision of supported housing is vital to ensuring vulnerable people live in suitable homes that meet their personal and all-round housing, health and care needs.

Councils work in partnership with investors and landlords of all tenures to raise standards across the private rented sector.

We welcome the opportunity to comment on the proposed technical changes to homelessness legislation following Renter’s Reform as this may have an impact on the way homelessness services carry out their duties.

The LGA has acknowledged that there are merits in introducing an element of standardisation in supporting to councils assess housing need.

We welcome the Tenant Fees Bill and the Government’s intention to make private rented accommodation more accessible.

The Tenant Fees Bill will abolish most upfront fees for tenants in England and cap security deposits at the equivalent of six weeks’ rent.

We welcome the Tenant Fees Bill and we are pleased that the Bill received cross-party support in the House of Commons. The Government’s intention to make private rented accommodation more accessible is positive. Excessive letting agent fees are a concern for many tenants and councils.

"Allowing councils to keep money from fines is helpful, but may not address the cost of the proactive work necessary to ensure letting agents are complying with the ban."