To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the role of parish and town councils as (a) residential landlords and (b) housing enablers. (219186)

The Department supports the development of a wide range of capable, viable and well managed housing providers. The Department has not made any assessment of the role of parish and town councils as residential landlords or housing enablers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) guidance and (b) financial assistance her Department has provided to local authorities to invoke (i) mandatory and selective houses in multiple occupation licensing powers and (ii) the Housing Health and Safety Rating System since the implementation of the Housing Act 2004. (219522)

The Department has published guidance for local authorities on the criteria for making applications for additional houses in multiple occupation (HMO) licensing and selective licensing schemes. The Department has also published Housing Health and Safety Rating System: Operating Guidance for local authorities and Housing Health and Safety Rating System: Enforcement Guidance and Housing Health and Safety Rating System: Guidance for landlords and property related professionals.

The Department has funded the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) to support local housing authorities in England and Wales in implementing mandatory HMO licensing and on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. LACORS issues guidance, advice, and coordinates and disseminates best practice in relation to regulation of private sector housing.