MP Des Turner's legislation to wipe out fuel poverty was today receiving its second reading in the Commons.
The Brighton Kemp Town MP's Private Member's Bill would make the licensing of bedsits, shared houses and other houses of multiple occupation compulsory.
The licences would only be handed out to properties that satisfy minimum energy efficiency and fire safety standards, with guidelines for landlord management competence and basic amenities.
If the Bill runs out of time today it will go to the back of the queue of PMB's and will not return to the Commons until next year.
Dr Turner said: "The Bill aims to give teeth to existing energy conservation legislation. It's really important legislation which tackles poverty and rogue landlords and reduces pollution.
"Good landlords have nothing to fear but some houses of multiple occupancy combine poor quality, unsafe housing with fuel-poor tenants and this can be a death trap.
"Currently there is no organisation enforcing minimum quality levels and raising standards for safety and energy efficiency.
"The time is right. Government targets of 30 per cent improvement in energy efficiency by 2010 will be missed if my Bill is not enacted this session."
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