Senior MPs and Whitehall’s spending watchdog today demanded improved regulation and data on supported housing amid evidence the system is blighted by rogue landlords.
A National Audit Office (NAO) report urged the housing sector and Government departments to improve data collection on supported housing, and to introduce regulations aimed at tackling landlords charging exorbitant fees.
Supported housing is currently exempt from caps on Local Housing Allowance, and MPs believe the absence of a cost ceiling has led unscrupulous landlords to enter the market and provide low-quality accommodation expensively.
Peers are currently scrutinising a Government-supported Private Members’ Bill, which proposes to tackle the issue through tighter regulation by councils and fresh enforcement powers.
However, councils are concerned about the burden of collecting and sharing data, as well as enforcement costs.
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