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1216495

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their decision to extend the ban on tenant evictions by a further two months, what plans they have to support private landlords with tenants who had already built up rent arrears before the restrictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic were introduced and who are receiving no income from their property.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL5962
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2020 answer text <p>The Government has put in place an unprecedented support package to help ensure that tenants are able to pay their rent throughout this period. We have introduced support for business to pay staff salaries with income support also available to the self-employed and have strengthened the welfare safety-net with a nearly £7 billion boost to the welfare system. This includes increasing Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates so that they are set at the 30th percentile of market rents in each area.</p><p>To support landlords who are experiencing a temporary loss of income, mortgage lenders have agreed to offer payment holidays of up to three months where this is needed due to coronavirus-related hardship, including for buy-to-let mortgages. On 2 June, the Financial Conduct Authority confirmed that borrowers can apply for an extension to any holiday already taken while extending the window for new applications to 31 October. Landlords should contact their lender at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss if the payment holiday is a suitable option for them.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 01/07/2020 12:51:41 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1216498

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Courts: Housing
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to publish their response to the consultation Considering the case for a Housing Court, which closed in January 2019; and what are their reasons for not publishing it to date.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL5965
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2020 answer text <p>We remain committed to working with the judiciary to improve court processes for users and the responses to the Call for Evidence will inform this work. However, it is important that any changes to court processes are considered as part of a wider package of reforms, which will deliver a fairer and more effective private rental market.</p><p>Our Renters’ Reform Bill will enhance renters’ security and improve protections for tenants by abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions. However, we want to ensure that under the new tenancy framework, landlords are able to swiftly and smoothly regain their property through the courts where they have a legitimate reason to do so.</p><p>We will publish our response to the consultation ‘Considering the case for a Housing Court’ in due course.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 01/07/2020 12:52:58 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1216499

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Private Rented Housing: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to their decision to extend the ban on tenant evictions by a further two months, what provisions are or will be in place to ensure that private landlords, who obtained a legal possession order prior to the suspension of evictions in March, are able to reclaim possession of their properties without further delay.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL5966
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2020 answer text <p>On 5 June the Government announced that the current suspension of evictions from social or private rented accommodation will be extended by two months until 23 August 2020.</p><p>From 24 August 2020, the courts will begin to process possession cases again. This is an important step towards ending the lockdown and will protect landlords’ important right to regain their property. Work is underway with the judiciary, legal representatives and the advice sector on arrangements, including new rules, to ensure that judges have all the information necessary to make just decisions and that the most vulnerable tenants can get the help they need when possession cases resume.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 01/07/2020 12:53:33 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1230942

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Housing: Older People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many retirement properties have been empty while awaiting sale for more than (1) six months, and (2) two years, in (a) England, and (b) Wales.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL7575
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2020 answer text <p>The Department does not collect data on the types of properties that have been empty while awaiting sale in England and Wales.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 16/09/2020 14:02:59 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1230943

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Housing: Older People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance is available to bereaved relatives who are being required to pay council tax at full or double rate after being unable to sell an inherited retirement property that has been on the market while potential purchasers have been unable to view or move during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL7576
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2020 answer text <p>When a property is empty following the death of its owner or occupant, and there is no other liable person, it is exempt from council tax for as long as it remains unoccupied and until probate is granted. A further six months exemption is then possible. Authorities have powers to provide further discounts where they consider that the circumstances merit it. Authorities can also agree alternative payment arrangements, such as deferring payment until the proceeds of a sale are made available. Potential purchasers who wish to move home can do so, and guidance on home moves is available (attached) at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 16/09/2020 14:18:32 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200916 Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - GOV.UK.pdf title Government advice on home moving during Covid-19
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1230944

	registered interest
	date	02/09/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Housing: Older People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the problems facing owners of retirement properties who are unable to sell such property; and whether councils are able to rent such properties to house older eligible individuals in need of housing.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL7577
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises the benefits of specialist retirement housing, however, we are aware that some owners of retirement properties have experienced difficulties in selling or renting their properties due to a range of factors.</p><p>The Law Commission published a report in 2017 of their review of event fees in retirement properties. The Government responded to the Law Commission in March 2019, agreeing to implement the majority of the recommendations.</p><p>We would encourage all prospective purchasers of retirement homes to take legal advice on their purchase and ensure they understand any restrictions on the use or sale of the property. The Government’s <a href="https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fattachment_data%2Ffile%2F829864%2F6.5492_-_MHCLG_-_How_to_Buy_Guide_WEB.PDF&amp;data=02%7C01%7CParliamentary%40communities.gov.uk%7C157d74364cac4607de8508d858b81175%7Cbf3468109c7d43dea87224a2ef3995a8%7C0%7C0%7C637356894868217887&amp;sdata=VHOzIklqbvw27keMhXz%2FBu84dT5268oHdqL30Y7tNH0%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">How to Buy Guide</a> (attached) has further advice on what to look out for when buying specialist retirement properties.</p><p>Where existing covenants are preventing the property being sold or rented there are a variety of potential remedies and the owner should take their own legal advice. For instance - it may be possible to vary or reduce restrictions through an application to the land tribunal.</p><p>Local authorities and housing associations already provide specialist accommodation for older and disabled people who are in need of it. The Government is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and has recently confirmed the details of £12.2 billion of investment. This includes a new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme providing up to 180,000 new homes across the country, should economic conditions allow, and 10% of delivery will be used to increase the supply of specialist or supported housing.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 16/09/2020 14:19:22 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh attachment 1 file name 200908 How_to_Buy_Guide - HL7577.PDF title How to buy guide
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1240967

	registered interest
	date	06/10/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept id	7
	answering dept short name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	answering dept sort name	Housing, Communities and Local Government
	hansard heading	Social Services: Compensation
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been paid out by local authorities as a result of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigations into adult care complaints each year in the last five years; and how they plan to support local authorities to improve adult care services.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL8791
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Government does not monitor how much local authorities pay out as a result of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigations. Local authorities are independent bodies and ministers have no remit to intervene in their day to day affairs.</p><p>The Ombudsman recommends a range of outcomes to achieve justice for individuals. The individual case reports, as well as the focus reports, public interest reports, and annual reviews the Ombudsman publishes on his website set out wider service improvement recommendations.</p> answering member printed Lord Greenhalgh question first answered 20/10/2020 14:38:38 answering member 4877 label Biography information for Lord Greenhalgh
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1216496

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Repossession Orders
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that courts deal more speedily with landlord and tenant cases concerning anti-social behaviour and domestic violence, once possession cases related to rented housing recommence.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL5963
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2020 answer text The listing of court cases, including possession, is a judicial function. The Master of Rolls has set up a judiciary-led cross-sector working group to consider and address matters affecting litigants to inform arrangements that will be in place when the current stay on possession is lifted. The work of this group will consider the needs of all users involved in the possession process. answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 06/07/2020 15:08:37 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1216497

	registered interest
	date	22/06/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Repossession Orders
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many possession orders had been made by the courts following a claim by (1) private, and (2) social landlords, and were outstanding prior to eviction proceedings being suspended from 27 March.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL5964
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/07/2020 answer text <p>The requested information is not held by HMCTS.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 06/07/2020 15:08:46 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann

1231978

	registered interest
	date	07/09/2020
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what provisions have been made in Her Majesty’s Prisons for visiting rights for prisoners since the introduction of restrictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic; how many (1) visits, and (2) visitors, are permitted for each category of prisoner each week; and what special protective measures have been introduced for (1) visitors, and (2) prisoners, to ensure their protection against COVID-19.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Altmann
	uin	HL7840
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2020 answer text <p>We fully recognise the importance of family contact for those in custody in line with the recommendations of Lord Farmer’s Reviews. This is why following the necessary suspension of prison visits in March, to keep prisoners, their families and staff safe during the pandemic, we introduced a range of measures. We rolled-out more than 1,200 secure mobile PIN phone handsets which are being used to contact family and friends, bolstered support for the Prisoner’s Families Helpline and introduced secure video calls which are currently operating in over 100 prisons across England and Wales, including all female and youth establishments.</p><p>We published arrangements for the recommencement of face-to-face social visits in the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services, and visits recommenced in early July, in an adapted, Covid-secure manner. Currently most prisons have now commenced physical visits.</p><p>Currently, up to two adults and two children are permitted to visit for a minimum of 45 minutes in prisons where it is safe to do so. Guidance on visits protocols for each prison, including steps we are taking to keep visitors safe, is published on <a href="http://gov.uk/" target="_blank">GOV.UK</a> at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-someone-in-prison-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/visit-someone-in-prison-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic</a></p><p>This sets out differences in the adult and youth estates but otherwise this applies for visits to all categories of prisoner. We aim to continue to expand visit arrangements as part of further relaxations to prison regimes, as it is safe to do so, and in line with public health advice.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 15/09/2020 16:27:57 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
	tabling member	4533 label Biography information for Baroness Altmann