This week the government laid out its legislative plans for the coming year in the King’s Speech, announcing a host of bills and marking the start of the parliamentary year.
People’s Health Trust know that our homes affect our health and welcome the focus on housing conditions in the King’s Speech with the introduction of the Renters Rights Bill and the abolition of section 21 no fault evictions.
We also welcome the intention to apply the Decent Homes Standards to the private rented sector.
The commitment to strengthen the enforcement powers for local councils is another critical step towards ensuring people’s health is not affected by where they live.
The government must also ensure that local authorities have a fair funding settlement, so that they can adequately enforce existing and new standards and ensure landlords make necessary repairs.
Without the proper resourcing, millions of private and social renters will continue living in homes that do not meet basic levels of decency.
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