Forum Brief: Housing provision

Local authorities, academics, housing providers and the voluntary sector have struck a new deal aimed at ensuring the private rented secor can provide adequate housing to meet future demands.

The deal has seen agreement on a raft of measures to improve the sector - including a code of management practice to ensure landlords are fit and proper, guidance on regulation and the need for the government to encourage more investment.

Forum Response: Shelter

Alastair Jackson, director of policy at Shelter, told ePolitix.com: "Demand for housing in the private rented sector is already high and is set to increase. It is vital that all those involved in the private rented sector, including the government, recognise its importance in housing provision and commit themselves to take on board the commission's recommendations.

"This will ensure the private rented sector is able to meet the housing needs of the future with good quality housing and meet the needs of tenants and landlords."

Forum Response: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Lord Best, director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, told ePolitix.com: "It is remarkable that the [Private Rented Sector] Commission, with its wide range of members, has been able to agree on so many areas and come up with workable solutions to improving the private rented sector in the future.

"The sector has often been viewed as landlords versus tenants but this report demonstrates that the responsible landlords and tenants have a shared interest in ensuring high standards, adequate supply and good quality throughout the sector."