Written questions by Morello.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Section 21 eviction notices issued in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) the South West in the 12 months prior to the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

My Department does not expect a spike in Section 21 notices ahead of implementation Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, show that there was a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of local authorities transferring ownership or management of car parks to private operators on the level of parking charges and penalty notices issued.

The Government has not made an assessment of the number of parking charges or penalty charge notices issued in these circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of complaints relating to private parking fines issued in (a) Dorset and (b) England since December 2024.

The government does not routinely collect or hold information on the number of complaints relating to private parking charges issued in Dorset or England.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the number of landlords issuing Section 21 eviction notices in advance of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.

My Department does not expect a spike in Section 21 notices ahead of implementation Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, show that there was a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Communities and Local Government, what progress his Department has made on the review of private parking regulation, including the introduction of a statutory code of practice for private parking operators.

In accordance with the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government intends to lay a Private Parking Code of Practice in Parliament in autumn 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to include solar panels as a default requirement in the Future Homes Standard.

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets. Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of mandating technologies such as solar panels or electric vehicle chargers in the Future Homes Standard.

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets. Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Future Homes Standard will require new homes to be built with solar panels installed.

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets. Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of permitting the subletting of retirement homes on the wider housing market.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of allowing subletting of retirement properties on people in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that developers meet their agreed affordable housing commitments.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 95573 on 5 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of exit fees from selling a retirement flat on retirees in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce reforms enabling residents to sublet retirement properties while awaiting a buyer.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of developers reducing affordable housing delivery on local housing need in in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 95573 on 5 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of developers reducing affordable housing delivery on local housing need in West Dorset.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Alongside measures to deal with the legacy problem of existing uncontracted S106 units, we intend to take steps to create a simpler, more transparent, and more resilient S106 system. As set out in the package of support for housebuilding in London announced by the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London on 23 October, which can be found on gov.uk here, the government intends to clarify the use of Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 so that an application under this section to vary a condition of a planning permission should no longer be used as an alternative means of reconsidering fundamental questions of scheme viability or planning obligations. We are also reviewing the planning practice guidance PPG on viability. Further details will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that development firms meet their agreed affordable housing commitments in West Dorset.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Alongside measures to deal with the legacy problem of existing uncontracted S106 units, we intend to take steps to create a simpler, more transparent, and more resilient S106 system. As set out in the package of support for housebuilding in London announced by the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London on 23 October, which can be found on gov.uk here, the government intends to clarify the use of Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 so that an application under this section to vary a condition of a planning permission should no longer be used as an alternative means of reconsidering fundamental questions of scheme viability or planning obligations. We are also reviewing the planning practice guidance PPG on viability. Further details will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that development firms (a) meet national affordable housing targets and (b) do not reduce delivery on viability grounds.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Alongside measures to deal with the legacy problem of existing uncontracted S106 units, we intend to take steps to create a simpler, more transparent, and more resilient S106 system. As set out in the package of support for housebuilding in London announced by the Secretary of State and the Mayor of London on 23 October, which can be found on gov.uk here, the government intends to clarify the use of Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 so that an application under this section to vary a condition of a planning permission should no longer be used as an alternative means of reconsidering fundamental questions of scheme viability or planning obligations. We are also reviewing the planning practice guidance PPG on viability. Further details will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to take steps to protect older residents in West Dorset from excessive exit fees on retirement flats.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to allow owners of retirement properties to sublet until a new buyer is found.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of service charges on retirement home a) residents and b) sales in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.