The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill (see December 2017/January 2018 Legal Action 4) is now likely to become law after what Karen Buck MP, the sponsor of the proposed legislation, described as a ‘consensual debate’ at the second Commons reading of the bill. It will now go into the Commons committee stage for detailed scrutiny.

In the debate, which took place on 19 January 2018, Buck said: ‘Everyone deserves to live in a safe, warm and comfortable home, yet despite the undeniable progress made over many decades, millions of people — often the most vulnerable — still do not.’ The bill will update housing fitness standards and apply to most private, housing association and public sector tenancies.