Briefings and responses

We clearly recognise the need to strengthen and increase housebuilding across the country and believe that all local authorities have their part to play. To do that local authorities need the right powers, skills, resources, and funding to take action.

The LGA welcomes the long-awaited Renters’ Rights Bill which will which Government has designed to help to deliver a fairer, more secure, and higher quality private rented sector (PRS).

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consulted on a proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework and a series of wider national planning policy reforms from 30 July to 24 September 2024.

The impacts of short-term letting are felt across the country with some councils reporting growth of between 30-52 per cent in short-term lets. This indicates the need for regulation that allows local discretion and implementation.

Councils want to work as partners with central government on climate action. Councils are well-placed to do this as place-shapers, convenors of communities and partners, delivery agents, commissioners, and owners of assets.

The Housing Ombudsman ran a consultation on the development of Good Practice from 26 March to 21 May 2024. The publishing of Good Practice aims to help organisations learn from the mistakes of others, and improve their services accordingly by conducting self-assessments.

We have argued for the Bill to go further in supporting tenants’ rights and providing stronger regulatory and enforcement powers, and for government to ensure sufficient funding councils to enforce these measures and fully realise our shared ambition for a fairer, more secure, and higher quality PRS.

The Department for Housing, Levelling Up and Communities held a consultation from 6 March to 1 May 2024 on the proposed introduction of an accelerated planning service, changes to the use of extension of time agreements, expanding the written appeals process, and introducing section 73B applications to vary planning permissions.

Over recent decades, construction of new homes has failed to keep pace with population growth and social changes. At the same time, there are currently not enough affordable homes to meet current demand with more than 1.32 million households on council waiting lists in England and over 109,000 households living in temporary accommodation.

The Renters (Reform) Bill is a flagship piece of legislation introduced by Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove to deliver on the Government’s 2019 manifesto pledge to reform the private rented sector (PRS).