|
HOUSING
LAW NEWS & POLICY ISSUES
|
|
Housing cases in the courts:
April to June 2021
On 2 September 2021 the
Ministry of Justice published statistics
for the volume of civil and judicial
review cases dealt with by the courts
between 1 April and 30 June 2021.
Mortgage and landlord possession claims
were down 71 per cent to 9,500 compared
to the same quarter of 2019. This
decrease has been driven by a fall in
all claim types since March 2020 due to
actions following Covid-19. The overall
trend in mortgage and landlord
possession claims has been decreasing
since a peak of 60,000 in January to
March 2014. For the full statistics, click
here. For an annex
specific to mortgage and landlord
possession cases (published on 12 August
2021 and previously reported in Housing
Law Week), click
here.
Affordable Homes Programme
On 31 August 2021 the MHCLG
announced that “nearly 120,000 new homes
will be built as part of the largest
single investment in affordable housing
in a decade.” The MHCLG says that the
Affordable Homes Programme funding
(worth £8.6 billion) will deliver around
119,000 homes, including 57,000 for
ownership, 29,600 for social rent and
6,250 affordable rural homes. For more
information, click
here.
Vulnerable children and
families: new data sharing projects
On 3 September 2021 Rough
Sleeping and Housing Minister Eddie
Hughes announced the £7.9 million Data
Accelerator Fund, which will see ten
councils work more closely with police
forces, local NHS services and schools
to share data to ensure children and
families receive the right help at the
right time. The MHCLG says that by
sharing information across schools,
health, housing, police and social care,
frontline workers can get a full picture
of an individual family’s needs and the
often interconnected challenges they
face, such as mental health issues,
employment, and substance misuse. For
more details, click
here.
Legal aid: HPCDS and Housing and
Debt opportunity
On 26 August 2021 the Legal Aid
Agency invited expressions of interest
from 2018 Standard Civil Contract
holders currently delivering housing and
debt services to deliver services in the
following HPCDSs, starting as soon as
possible: Cambridge, Crewe and Chester,
Sunderland, Stockport, and Hull
(delivery of services at Hull to start
from 1 November 2021). This is for the
delivery of the HPCDS services until 30
September 2022.
The LAA is also inviting expressions of
interest to deliver Housing and Debt
contract work in the Cheshire
procurement area until 31 August 2022.
This opportunity to deliver Housing and
Debt services is open to all holders of
the 2018 Standard Civil Contract and is
not limited to current housing and debt
providers. There is no limit to the
number of contracts that can be awarded
to deliver Housing and Debt services in
Cheshire. For more information or to
apply, click
here.
Disabled adaptations in
leasehold flats and common parts
On 5 September 2021 the House
of Commons Library published a briefing
paper covering how leaseholders in flats
can gain consent to home adaptations. It
also covers the issue of adaptations in
the common parts of residential
buildings. For the paper, click
here.
Disabled facilities grants for
home adaptations
On 30 August 2021 the House of Commons
Library published a briefing paper
providing an overview of Disabled
Facilities Grants for home adaptations
and plans to improve how the system
works. It focuses on England but
includes details of the systems in
Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
For the paper, click
here.
Dispute Resolution in England
and Wales: call for evidence
On 1 September 2021 the
Ministry of Justice extended to 31
October 2021 its call for evidence on
dispute resolution from all interested
parties, the judiciary, legal
profession, mediators and other dispute
resolvers, academics, the advice sector,
court users. For more information, click
here.
Households in temporary
accommodation (England)
On 27 August 2021 the House of
Commons Library published a briefing
paper providing data on the number of
homeless households placed in temporary
accommodation by English local
authorities and outlining initiatives
and issues associated with the use of
temporary accommodation. For the
briefing paper, click
here.
Right to rent checks
On 26 August 2021 the Home
Office updated its guidance for
landlords carrying out right to rent
checks during the coronavirus (Covid-19)
pandemic. It reflects the decision to
defer the end date for the temporary
adjusted checks to 5 April 2022. For the
guidance, click
here.
Grenfell Tower Inquiry update
On 26 August 2021 the Grenfell Tower
Inquiry published an August newsletter,
offering an update of its work. For the
newsletter, click
here.
Housing Ombudsman: complaints
continue to rise
On 1 September 2021 the Housing
Ombudsman published the latest Insight
report covering April to June 2021. It
shows a 21 per cent increase in the
volume of enquiries and complaints
received compared to the previous
quarter. 7,276 enquiries and complaints
were received between April and June, up
from 6,010 between January and March
2021. For the report, click
here.
Keep the lifeline: open letter
to the Prime Minister
On 2 September 2021 over 100
organisations across the UK joined
together to write to the Prime Minister
and urge the government not to proceed
with the announced £20 per week cut to
Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit.
For the letter, click
here.
London’s Violence Reduction Unit
in partnership with housing
associations
On 31 August 2021 London’s Violence
Reduction Unit (VRU) announced a new
partnership with nine housing
associations to work with communities to
identify and put in place projects to
drive down violence. The VRU and housing
associations will work together with
communities to develop measures such as
mentoring support for young people, the
development of skills to help young
people better manage conflict,
counselling to prevent reoffending,
training for parents and the wider
community to identify risk factors and
the provision of safe spaces for young
people. For more details, click
here.
Regulator of Social Housing:
quarterly survey results
On 3 September 2021 the Regulator of
Social Housing published the results of
its latest quarterly (1 April to 30 June
2021) survey of registered providers’
financial health. The report shows that
the sector is well placed to continue
its recovery from the pandemic, with
strong liquidity and high levels of
investment in both new and existing
homes. Investment in housing supply
during the quarter was £3.1 billion – an
increase of 11 per cent on the previous
quarter. Twelve-month development and
major repairs spend forecasts increased
again and both exceed pre-pandemic
levels. Capitalised repairs spend was
£459 million in the quarter, which is
the highest quarter one figure ever
recorded. The number of unsold
properties reduced in the quarter and
providers’ total asset sales were £1.7
billion. The sales recorded were above
forecast, reflecting the effects of the
stamp duty holiday on the housing
market. For full details, click
here.
|
|
HOUSING
LAWS IN THE PIPELINE
|
|
The House of Commons and
the House of Lords each returned
from summer recess on 6 September.
Building Safety Bill
This Government Bill would make
provision about the safety of people in
or about buildings and the standard of
buildings, to amend the Architects Act
1997, and to amend provision about
complaints made to a housing ombudsman.
The Bill was given its first reading on
5 July 2021 and its second reading on 21
July 2021. The Bill has now been sent to
a Public Bill Committee which will
scrutinise the Bill line by line and is
expected to report to the House by 26
October 2021. For the Bill as
introduced, click
here. For the
Government response to the Housing,
Communities and Local Government
Committee's pre-legislative scrutiny of
the Bill, click
here. For a House of
Commons Library briefing about the Bill,
published on 16 July 2021, click
here. To follow
progress of the Bill, click
here.
Fire and Building Safety
(Public Inquiry) Bill
This Bill, sponsored by Daisy Cooper,
would establish an independent public
inquiry into the Government’s response
to concerns about fire and building
safety. It was introduced to Parliament
on Tuesday 6 July 2021 under the Ten
Minute Rule. It is due to receive its
second reading on 10 September
2021. For the Bill, as
introduced, click
here.
Leasehold Reform (Ground
Rent) Bill
This Government Bill would make
provision about the rent payable under
long leases of dwellings. First reading
in the House of Lords took place on 12
May 2021. Second reading took place on
24 May 2021. The Bill completed its
committee stage on 14 June 2021 and
report stage on 20 July 2021. The third
reading is scheduled for 14
September 2021. For the Bill
as amended at the report stage, click
here. For a House of
Commons Library briefing concerning the
Bill, published on 6 August 2021, click
here. To follow
progress of the Bill, click
here.
Evictions (Universal Credit)
Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Chris Stephens, would place a duty on
the Secretary of State to prevent the
evictions of Universal Credit claimants
in rent arrears. It was presented to
Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 28
January 2022.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
Housing Standards (Refugees
and Asylum Seekers) Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Chris Stephens, would make provision for
national minimum standards in
accommodation offered to refugees and
asylum seekers. It was presented to
Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 21
January 2022.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
Under-Occupancy Penalty
(Report) Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Chris Stephens, would require the
Secretary of State to report to
Parliament on the merits of repealing
those provisions of the Welfare Reform
Act 2012 which provide for persons to be
paid reduced rates of housing benefit or
Universal Credit because their
accommodation is deemed to be
under-occupied. It was presented to
Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 14
January 2022.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
Asylum Seekers
(Accommodation Eviction Procedures)
Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Chris Stephens, would make provision for
asylum seekers to challenge the
proportionality of a proposed eviction
from accommodation before an independent
court or tribunal; and establish asylum
seeker accommodation eviction procedures
for public authorities. It was presented
to Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 3
December 2021.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
Caravan Sites Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Sir Christopher Chope, would amend the
requirements for caravan site licence
applications made under the Caravan
Sites and Control of Development Act
1960. It was presented to Parliament on
21 June 2021 and will receive its second
reading on 29 October 2021.The
Bill awaits publication. To follow
progress of the Bill, click
here.
Mobile Homes Act 1983
(Amendment) Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Sir Christopher Chope, would amend the
Mobile Homes Act 1983. It was presented
to Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 28
January 2022.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
Caravan Site Licensing
(Exemptions of Motor Homes) Bill
This Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Sir Christopher Chope, would exempt
motor homes from caravan site licensing
requirements. It was presented to
Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 29
October 2021.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
Homeless People (Current
Accounts) BillThis
Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by
Peter Bone, would require banks to
provide current accounts for homeless
people seeking work. It was presented to
Parliament on 21 June 2021 and will
receive its second reading on 22
October 2021.The Bill awaits
publication. To follow progress of the
Bill, click
here.
|
|
Make
Sure you Keep Up to Date
with Housing Law Week
Don’t
miss out on
your weekly
updates!
Sign
up here now
to ensure you
receive your
own free copy
of Housing
Law Week
straight to
your desktop
each week.
|
|
|
|
|
HOUSING
LAW CONSULTATIONS
|
|
The Building Safety Levy
This consultation seeks views on the
design of a proposed levy on developers
who seek regulatory permission to build
certain high rise residential buildings.
The consultation also seeks evidence of
possible impacts on housing supply and
regeneration, and the housebuilding
industry.
The powers to create and set the terms
of the levy are set out in the Building
Safety Bill. Subject to the passage of
the Bill through Parliament, this levy
will apply to developments in England
seeking building control approval from
the Building Safety Regulator to start
construction of certain buildings: the
“Gateway 2” stage of the new building
safety regime.
For documents relating to the
consultation, which closes on 15
October 2021, click
here.
Domestic Abuse Act statutory
guidance
On 3 August 2021 the Home Office issued
a consultation seeking views on draft
domestic abuse statutory guidance which
will support the implementation of the
definition of domestic abuse at sections
1 to 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
The key objectives of the guidance are
to:
- provide clear information on what
domestic abuse is in order to assist
with its identification
- provide guidance and support to
frontline professionals, who have
responsibilities for safeguarding and
supporting victims of domestic abuse,
for example through outlining relevant
strategic and operational frameworks
- improve the institutional response
to domestic abuse by conveying best
practice and standards for
commissioning responses.
The consultation seeks the views of,
amongst other professionals, local
housing and homelessness teams, and
registered social landlords. For details
of the consultation, which closes on 14
September 2021, click
here.
Local taxes for second homes and
self-catering accommodation – Wales
The Welsh Government is consulting on
the discretionary powers which allow
local authorities to levy a higher rate
of council tax on:
- second homes
- long-term empty properties.
The consultation also asks for views
and evidence on the criteria used to
define a property as self-catering
accommodation for local tax purposes.
For the consultation, which closes on 17
November 2021, click
here.
|
|
HOUSING
LAW ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
|
|
‘Eating the elephant in
chunks’: mapping the judicial review
bill and other constitutional
changes during the Boris Johnson era
Lee Marsons Legal
Action August 2021 – to read the
article, click
here
Who’s responsible for
improving our homes? Mille
Brown Centre for Ageing Better
26 August 2021 – to read the article, click
here
UK councils say they are
‘ready to assist’ Afghan refugees
but lack housing Diane
Taylor Guardian 28 August 2021
– to read the article, click
here
The cost of unwanted moves Dan
Wilson Craw Generation Rent 28
August 2021 – to read the article, click
here
Social housing tenant’s cry
for help: Get me out of this
‘hellhole’ flat Anna
Tims Guardian 29 August 2021 –
to read the article, click
here
Who manages the managers? –
Tribunal appointed manager behaving
badly Giles Peaker Nearly
Legal 30 August 2021 – to read
the article, click
here
Costs and costs of repairs Giles
Peaker Nearly Legal 30 August
2021 – to read the article, click
here
Staycations: Things
landlords should consider Rebecca
Harris Trowers and Hamlins 1
September 2021 – to read the article, click
here
Building Safety Bill:
Essential guide Rebecca
Rees Trowers and Hamlins 6
September 2021 – to read the guide, click
here
We need to decarbonise our
homes – but does technology help or
hinder us? Fionnuala
Ratcliffe Centre for Ageing Better
3 September 2021 – to read the article,
click
here
Late service charge demands
and the importance of contemplating
forfeiture for recovering legal
costs Giles Peaker Nearly
Legal 5 September 2021 – to read
the article, click
here
Where are you? The “missing”
witnesses and drawing an adverse
inference Andrew Lane
Local Government Lawyer 6
September 2021 – to read the article, click
here
Housing: recent developments
(September 21) Jan
Luba QC and Sam Madge-Wyld Legal
Action September 2021 – to read
the article (subscription required), click
here
|
|
10 September 2021
Second reading in the House of
Commons of the Fire and Building Safety
(Public Inquiry) Bill (see Housing
Laws in the Pipeline)
14 September 2021
Third reading in the House of
Lords of the Leasehold Reform (Ground
Rent) Bill (see Housing Laws in the
Pipeline)
30 September 2021
Expiry of special measures in
respect of notice of intention to seek
possession, introduced by Coronavirus
Act 2020 (Residential Tenancies:
Protection from Eviction) (Amendment)
(England) (No. 2) Regulations 2021
|
|
Advertise
your vacancy to Housing Law Week
Readers
Speak
to a member of our team today: info@limelegal.co.uk
|
|
Featured
Jobs of the Week
Housing
Advisory Officer
37 hours per week
£29,577- £31,346 per annum
We require an experienced caseworker to
join our team which offers a wide range
of housing options and services to a
diverse client group. The successful
candidate will have excellent oral and
written communication skills with the
ability to work with customers in a
front line setting. Your ability to
negotiate with a range of agencies and
partner organisations in both the
private and voluntary sector to deliver
support services and positive outcomes
for clients is essential.
The successful candidate will have a
sound knowledge of the Homeless
Reduction Act (HRA) and can demonstrate
how clients have been helped in
innovative and proactive ways to prevent
homelessness or secure accommodation.
There will be ongoing training
opportunities to update or refresh work
skills and housing law knowledge.
This role benefits from a minimum of 29
days’ Annual Leave plus 8 statutory Bank
Holidays, access to the council’s Flexi
Scheme, casual car user, access to the
Local Government Pension Scheme.
For an informal chat about the role,
please contact John Cameron, Senior
Housing Advisory Officer, on 01772
906404 or j.cameron@preston.gov.uk
Post Number: COAC02006
Closing Date: Thursday 9th
September 2021
Interview Date: Wednesday 29th
September 2021
For more details, click
here
Temporary
Accommodation Officer
(Ref: CHOU987)
2 year fixed term contract
£23,541 pa - £25,991 pa + Car
Allowance up to £1,239 pa
Based: Haywards Heath, West
Sussex
Mid Sussex District Council is an
ambitious, forward thinking local
authority in the heart of southern
England and a very desirable place to
work.
We are looking for a Temporary
Accommodation Officer with a
proven track record and experience of
working in a support or housing role,
preferably with a local authority, to
join our frontline Housing Options Team.
You will provide a sustainment service
to clients throughout their time in
temporary accommodation to maintain the
accommodation and work with the Housing
Options Team to explore their housing
options.
The right candidate will enjoy team work
and enthusiastically embrace our
proactive housing options approach in
preventing homelessness to find real
solutions for people in housing
difficulties. You will be a
self-starter who is able to work on your
own initiative and organise your own
workload with a positive and flexible
attitude.
You will have a good understanding and
knowledge of the Council’s duties to
those who are homeless and have detailed
up to date knowledge of homelessness
legislation relating to suitability of
accommodation.
For fuller information about the role
including details on how to apply please
click on:
https://www.jobsgopublic.com/vacancies/217323?ga_client_id=49e595aa-088c-469e-bf55-7fc388dc6f83&search=b2037df067536f580f429835dbc14455ce432c89fa52176cb19b35dc4e79014c
Close date: 24
September 2021
Interview date: 8
October 2021
Private
Housing Options Officer
(Ref:
CHOU988)
Temporary 2 year fixed term
contract
£23,541 pa - £25,991 pa + Car
Allowance up to £1,239 pa
Based: HaywardsHeath, West
Sussex
Mid Sussex District Council is a
dynamic, forward thinking local
authority in the heart of southern
England. We have clear priorities and
are proud that local people consistently
rate our services highly.
We are looking for a Private Housing
Options Officer with a proven track
record and experience of working in such
a role, preferably with a local
authority, to join our frontline Housing
Options Team.
The right candidate will increase the
supply of private rented properties
available to clients of the Council’s
Housing Options Team. You will
proactively develop links and positive
working relationships with private
landlords and letting agents to source
homes in the private rented sector. By
doing so, you will contribute to a
proactive service for people who are
homeless, or at risk of becoming
homeless, by maximising opportunities
for them to rent privately.
You will have a good understanding and
knowledge of the private sector housing
market in Mid Sussex, together with a
good understanding of the terms and
conditions contained in a tenancy
agreement or lease and knowledge of
landlord and tenant legislation and of
the welfare benefits that are available
to tenants.
For fuller information about the role
including details on how to apply please
click on: https://www.jobsgopublic.com/vacancies/217599?ga_client_id=49e595aa-088c-469e-bf55-7fc388dc6f83&search=b2037df067536f580f429835dbc14455ce432c89fa52176cb19b35dc4e79014c
Closing date: 24
September 2021
Interview date: 5
October 2021
Housing
Options Officer
(Ref:
CHOU030)
Temporary 2 year fixed term
contract
£26,511 pa - £28,672 pa + Car
Allowance up to £1,239 pa
Based: Haywards Heath, West
Sussex
Mid Sussex District Council is a
dynamic, forward thinking local
authority in the heart of southern
England. We have clear priorities, and
are proud that local people consistently
rate our services highly.
We are looking for a Housing Options
Officer to join our busy frontline
Housing Options Team. The right
candidate will enjoy team work and
enthusiastically embrace our proactive
housing options approach in preventing
homelessness finding innovative and
imaginative solutions for people in
housing difficulties, enabling them to
retain their current home or achieve a
planned move to alternative
accommodation.
You will also help implement the duties
of the Council in respect of persons who
are, or may become, homeless. This will
involve interviewing people,
investigating formal homeless
applications under the homelessness
legislation, making legal decisions and
securing temporary accommodation.
Detailed knowledge of homelessness
legislation, welfare benefits and
landlord & tenant law would be
desirable but not essential. Keeping
clear and concise records will be an
essential part of your work. You will
also be expected to visit people in
their own homes.
For fuller information about the role
including details on how to apply please
click on:
https://www.jobsgopublic.com/vacancies/217204?ga_client_id=49e595aa-088c-469e-bf55-7fc388dc6f83&search=b2037df067536f580f429835dbc14455ce432c89fa52176cb19b35dc4e79014c
Close date: 17 September 2021
Interview date: 28 September 2021
|
|
Lime Legal
Limited, Greengate House, 87
Pickwick Road, Corsham,
Wiltshire, SN13 9B
|
|
|
|
|