My Lords, I thank the noble Lords, Lord Bassam, Lord Beecham, Lord Kennedy, Lord Watson and Lord Kerslake, and my noble friend Lord Porter, for their amendments. Turning first to Amendment 80, it would ensure that new fixed-term tenancies may have a longer term of 10 years in all cases.
As I said, we listened carefully in Committee, and I have found this further discussion at Report useful. A household’s circumstances can change considerably in 10 years, which is why the Government remain convinced that a maximum of five years should be the norm for most fixed-term tenancies. Indeed, 70% of flexible tenancies currently given by local authorities are five years in length. However, we recognise that there may well be situations in which longer-term tenancies are appropriate for tenants who have particular needs—which is why, as I said, we will bring forward an amendment at Third Reading to enable local authorities to grant longer-term tenancies of up to 10 years in certain circumstances. In answer to the question of the noble
Lord, Lord Shipley, in the previous debate, I can say that this will include people with disabilities. We will be looking at other categories, and they will be in regulations which will be subject to the affirmative procedure, so there will be an opportunity to discuss the matter further, and we will of course have ongoing discussions in the run-up to Third Reading.
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Amendment 80A aims to ensure that a fixed-term tenancy would cover the length of time for which a child is in full-time education. We appreciate the motivation behind this amendment. I absolutely agree with the noble Lord that it is important that children are brought up in a stable environment, and I agree that frequent moves can be disruptive to a child’s education, and of course we do not want that. As I said, we have listened to this debate and previous debates, so we are happy to give an undertaking to bring forward an amendment at Third Reading to give local authorities power to grant extended tenancies that cover the period for which a child or children are in full-time school education.
Amendment 80AZA would guarantee a lifetime tenancy in certain circumstances, including to people over pension age, where a property is or is designed to be adapted for a disabled person, and to tenants moving as a result of the removal of the spare-room subsidy. It is important that suitable accommodation is available for disabled people and that we make the best use of accommodation that is readily adaptable for people with access needs. Older people as well as disabled people have needs that change over time. Ensuring that tenancies are reviewed periodically will mean that landlords can consider carefully tenants’ continuing housing needs and move them to more suitable accommodation where appropriate. But as I said, we have listened to concerns and will introduce an amendment to allow councils to grant tenancies of up to 10 years in certain circumstances, which will ensure that they are able to provide greater stability for those with longer-term needs. As I said, we will ensure that that includes people with disabilities.
As for those affected by the removal of the spare-room subsidy, the Bill gives local authorities discretion to offer tenants a further lifetime tenancy in limited circumstances, and we have already made it clear that that would include cases where tenants need to move to smaller accommodation.
Finally, Amendment 80AZB would have a similar effect to Amendments 80A and 80AZA, allowing local authorities to grant longer tenancies where children are in school, and a lifetime tenancy to parents or carers of those in receipt of disability living allowance or personal independence payment. I hope that the commitment I have already given will reassure my noble friend and that we can work with him to ensure that he not only has hope, but sees some of the things that he wants.
With that, I ask noble Lords not to press their amendments.