Written Question·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·UIN 61664
Housing: Rural Areas
Tabled: 20 June 2025
Answered: 30 June 2025
Question
Edward Morello
Liberal Democrat — West Dorset
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms for restrictions under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 on rural housing markets.
Answer
Matthew PennycookThe government has not made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms for restrictions under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985. There are currently 52 authorities in England that have areas designated as rural.