To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what studies have been undertaken by her Department on the levels of rent paid by private sector tenants and their security of tenure; and whether there are any plans to change policy in this areas. (150508)

[holding answer 18 July 2007]: Through the annual Survey of English Housing the Department collects a range of information about the attitudes of private tenants towards their accommodation. This includes information on rents and satisfaction levels with accommodation. The Department has not undertaken any studies in relation to security of tenure in the private rented sector.

We monitor the operation of the private rented housing market to ensure that the sector continues to offer good quality and safe accommodation for people who do not qualify for social housing and are not in a position to enter home ownership. We have no immediate plans to make changes to the legislation on rent levels and security of tenure governed by the Housing Act 1988.