Housing And Planning Act 2017 Summary

Housing and Planning Act 2017 Summary: A Comprehensive Overview

### Introduction The Housing and Planning Act 2017 is a significant piece of legislation that was enacted in England and Wales on 18th May 2017. This act aims to address several key housing and planning challenges, including the shortage of affordable housing, the need to boost economic growth, and the importance of protecting the environment. ### Key Provisions of the Act The Housing and Planning Act 2017 includes a range of measures aimed at increasing the supply of housing, improving the quality of housing, and making it easier for people to buy and rent homes. Some of the key provisions of the act include: *

Increasing the supply of housing:

The act sets a target of building 300,000 new homes each year by the mid-2020s. This includes a focus on affordable housing, with the government providing funding for the construction of affordable homes. *

Improving the quality of housing:

The act introduces a number of measures to improve the quality of housing, including new minimum standards for rental properties and a requirement for landlords to provide energy performance certificates for their properties. *

Making it easier to buy and rent homes:

The act makes it easier for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder by introducing a new Help to Buy scheme. This scheme allows first-time buyers to borrow up to 20% of the purchase price of a new home from the government. ### Impact of the Act The Housing and Planning Act 2017 has had a significant impact on the housing market in England and Wales. The number of new homes being built has increased, and the quality of housing has improved. The act has also made it easier for people to buy and rent homes. However, the act has also been criticized for not doing enough to address the shortage of affordable housing. The government has been accused of focusing too much on helping first-time buyers and not enough on helping those who are struggling to pay their rent. ### Conclusion The Housing and Planning Act 2017 is a significant piece of legislation that has had a major impact on the housing market in England and Wales. The act has increased the supply of housing, improved the quality of housing, and made it easier for people to buy and rent homes. However, the act has also been criticized for not doing enough to address the shortage of affordable housing.