On 21 May 2008, the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee published its report, The Supply of Rented Housing.

The Report concludes that the Government faces a stark choice between leaving social housing as the sector of last resort, or enabling the social rented housing sector to play a full role in the creation of sustainable communities and being available to a wider range of people. The Committee's recommendation is that the social rented housing sector has a vital role in the creation of mixed and sustainable communities but that sustained and substantial investment is required.

This update outlines the primary recommendations, which will be of interest to developers, local authorities and anyone advising in connection with mixed-use developments or in connection with the social rented sector.

NOTE 24/9/08: The Government has published its response to the Report (see Legal update, Government responds to the Communities and Local Government Committee's Report: Supply of Rented Housing).