Homelessness Reduction Bill — House of Commons, 2017-01-27
Topic: Housing
Marcus Charles Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intervention. As ever during this process, he has sought to use a very constructive tone in the debate and has shown pragmatism. We have been able to all work together; that goes for the Opposition Front-Bench team, too. It has not been easy at times, but there has been a pragmatic approach to making sure that we get this legislation into a good place and to the other end of the Corridor, thereby encouraging noble Lords to support not just the amendments dealt with today, but the overall Bill as a significant package towards helping people who are at risk of becoming homeless, or who do indeed become homeless Amendment 10 agreed to. Amendments made: 11, page 11, leave out lines 29 and 30 This amendment, and amendments 12 and 13, limit the grounds on which a notice can be given under new section 193A of the Housing Act 1996 (inserted by clause 7), so that it can only be given if the applicant deliberately and unreasonably refuses to take a step that the applicant agreed to take, or that was recorded, under new section 189A of that Act (inserted by clause 3). Amendment 12, page 12, leave out lines 9 to 11 See amendment 11. Amendment 13, page 12, line 16, leave out from "refuse" to "after" in line 17 and insert— "to take any such step" See amendment 11. Amendment 14, page 13, line 16, after "made" insert "by a private landlord" This amendment, and amendments 15 and 16, make it clear that a final offer of an assured shorthold tenancy would not be made by the local housing authority itself, but rather be made by a private landlord and approved by the authority. A local housing authority cannot grant an assured shorthold tenancy - see sections 1 and 19A of, and paragraph 12 of Schedule 1 to, the Housing Act 1988. Amendment 15, page 13, line 19, leave out "by or" See amendment 14. Amendment 16, page 13, line 29, leave out from "not" to "unless" in line 30 and insert— "approve a final accommodation offer, or make a final Part 6 offer," See amendment 14. Amendment 17, page 13, line 39, after "if" insert "— (a) section 193ZA(3) disapplies this section, or (b) "—(Mr Marcus Jones.) This amendment inserts, into section 193 of the Housing Act 1996, a reference to section 193ZA of that Act (inserted by amendment 10), under which section 193 can be disapplied. Clause 9 Reviews Amendment made: 18, page 15, line 6, after "section" insert "193ZA or".—(Mr Marcus Jones.) This amendment allows an applicant to request a review of a local housing authority’s decision as to the suitability of accommodation offered to the applicant by way of a final accommodation offer or a final Part 6 offer under section 193ZA of the Housing Act 1996 (inserted by amendment 10). Clause 12 Suitability of private rented sector accommodation Amendments made: 19, page 17, line 22 , after "section" insert "193ZA(6) or" This amendment applies the provision in article 3 of the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2601), about when accommodation is to be regarded as unsuitable, to a decision by a local housing authority as to whether they should approve a final accommodation offer by a private landlord for the purposes of section 193ZA of the Housing Act 1996 (inserted by amendment 10). Amendment 20, page 17, line 26, leave out "vulnerable person" and insert— "person who has a priority need" This amendment applies the provision in article 3 of the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/2601), about when accommodation is to be regarded as unsuitable, to accommodation secured by a local housing authority, in discharge of their duty under section 189B(2) or 195(2) (inserted by clauses 5 and 4, respectively), for all persons who have a priority need rather than just "vulnerable persons". Amendment 21, page 17, leave out lines 32 to 37.— (Mr Marcus Jones) See amendment 20. This amendment removes the definition of "vulnerable person". Third Reading