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<p>The table below shows the number and proportion of dwellings in the private rented
sector which reach the Decent Homes standard over the last five years.</p><p> </p><p>The
private rented sector has expanded in size in this period (with almost one million
more homes), yet both the absolute and relative number of non-Decent Homes have fallen.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td> </td><td colspan="2"><p><em>Reaching standard</em></p></td><td
colspan="2"><p><em>Not reaching standard</em></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2008</p></td><td><p>1,847,000</p></td><td><p>56%</p></td><td><p>1,449,000</p></td><td><p>44%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>2,123,000</p></td><td><p>59%</p></td><td><p>1,465,000</p></td><td><p>41%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>2,325,000</p></td><td><p>63%</p></td><td><p>1,381,000</p></td><td><p>37%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>2,610,000</p></td><td><p>65%</p></td><td><p>1,407,000</p></td><td><p>35%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2,754,000</p></td><td><p>67%</p></td><td><p>1,365,000</p></td><td><p>33%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>This Government has taken a series of actions to help improve standards in
the private rented sector.</p><p> </p><p>To encourage improved conditions, we have
increased consumer awareness and supported longer tenancies with a ‘How to Rent’ guide,
a model tenancy agreement, and an industry-led Code of Practice for letting and managing
agents. We have introduced regulations to require the remaining 3,000 letting and
property management agents to join one of three approved redress schemes from 1 October;
made over £4 million available to 23 local authorities to help them tackle localised
problems with the small minority in rogue landlords in their area – building on £2.6
million given to 9 local authorities to support enforcement against ‘Beds in Sheds’;
and supported measures to tackle retaliatory evictions in private rented sector.</p><p>
</p><p>However, we also need to avoid disproportionate red tape which would reduce
supply, cut investment and ultimately force up rents. As an illustration, my written
answer of 9 February 2015 to Question 222996, noted how rent controls would actually
worsen property conditions for tenants by discouraging investment in new and existing
rented accommodation.</p><p> </p><p>I would also add that, in the social sector, the
number of non-Decent local authority dwellings across England has fallen from 291,600
in 1 April 2010 to 145,900 in April 2014, with a forecast of a further fall to 113,000
by April 2015.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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