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Housing: Rural Areas

Asked by Edward MorelloLiberal DemocratMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 30 June 2025UIN 61664

The question

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.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

The 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.

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