23rd March 2016
Quick Links
HOUSING LAW NEWS & POLICY ISSUES

Budget 2016 – homelessness and rough sleeping
The Chancellor announced initiatives to help rough sleepers off the streets and to help those who are recovering from a homelessness crisis, comprising: £100 million to deliver low-cost ‘second stage’ accommodation for rough sleepers leaving hostel accommodation and domestic abuse victims and their families moving on from refuges; £10 million over two years to support and scale up ways to prevent and reduce rough sleeping, particularly in London, building on the success of the No Second Night Out initiative; and doubling of the funding for the Rough Sleeping Social Impact Bond (announced at the Autumn Statement 2015) from £5 million to £10 million. For the Budget Report, click here and scroll to para 1.129. For the CIH response, click here For that of Homelessness Link, click here

Budget 2016 – Local Housing Allowance caps
On 1 March 2016 the government confirmed that the date from which Local Housing Allowance caps apply to new tenancies in the supported accommodation sector will be delayed by one year. The Chancellor has announced that it will now apply to tenancies in this sector signed after 1 April 2017. For details, click here and scroll to para 1.130.

Budget 2016 – local authority land disposal
The Chancellor announced in the Budget that local authorities will work with central government to release surplus land with the capacity for at least 160,000 homes. The DCLG has published guidance to local authorities planning to dispose of land assets, and outlines the supporting measures offered by the government. For the guidance, click here

Care leavers
The Association of Directors of Children's Services has published a 'think piece' designed to stimulate thinking, challenge and debate in the sector. The paper includes, at page 8, details of a new housing cooperative, led by young care leavers using homes owned by Stoke Council. The project provides young people with their own home while also providing comprehensive and co-ordinated support to enable them to be safe and successful as co-owners and managers of their own housing. For the paper, click here

Possession proceedings against tenants
In response to complaints that some High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEOs) have been using Form N293A to transfer County Court Possession Orders against tenants for enforcement to the High Court, the Queen’s Bench Senior Master has issued a practice note providing that (1) the Queen’s Bench Division Enforcement Section will not accept Form N293A for transfer to the High Court for enforcement of a possession order of the County Court other than for possession orders against trespassers; and (2) the Queen’s Bench Masters will not accept applications under Section 41 of the County Court Act 1984 for transfer of a County Court possession claim for enforcement – such applications must be made under Section 42 of the County Court Act 1984 to a judge of the hearing centre of the County Court where the possession order was made. There has been re-drafted Form N239A and drafted a new form of draft order (PF52) giving permission to enforce a judgment or order for giving possession of land in the County Court (other than a claim against trespassers under Part 55). For the practice note, click here For the Nearly Legal commentary, click here

Civil court fees
The Ministry of Justice has published statutory guidance setting out the fees applying in the High Court and County Court from 21 March 2016. For the guidance, click here

Housing adaptations for people with disabilities
In a report – Making a house a home: Local Authorities and disabled adaptations – published on 18 March 2016, the Local Government Ombudsman has said that people with disabilities are being left for too long in unsuitable homes because of problems with councils’ Disabled Facilities Grants processes. The report highlights some of the complaints the LGO receives when the grants process goes wrong. To read the report, click here To read the LGO’s press release, click here

Towns and cities analysis
The Office for National Statistics has published an analysis of towns and cities in England and Wales with a focus on housing and deprivation. The report draws on findings from the 2011 census. For the report, click here

Succession rights and social housing
On 17 March 2016 the House of Commons Library published a briefing paper which provides an overview of the statutory rights of occupiers of social housing in England to succeed to a tenancy on the death of the previous sole or joint tenant. The rules in regard to secure council tenancies changed in April 2012 and additional restrictions will apply once the provisions in the Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16 come into force. To read the briefing paper, click here

Social housing rent review day
On 21 March 2016 the Secretary of State issued a general consent which enables social housing providers who had not implemented their 2015 to 2016 rent increase on 8 July 2015 to use a permitted review date to determine the baseline rent from which the reductions as required by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 are to be made. Generally, the permitted review day is 31 March 2016, except in the case of re-lets of Affordable Rent housing where the permitted review day is the day the new tenancy agreement starts. For the consent, which comes into force on 1 April 2016, click here.

Social housing rents
Section 23 of the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 (the 2016 Act) introduces, for a period of 4 years, a 1% annual reduction to the rent payable by social tenants to registered providers of social housing in England. Schedule 2 to the 2016 Act introduces, for a period of 4 years, requirements about the maximum levels of rent for social tenancies beginning after 8 July 2015. The Social Housing Rents (Exceptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2016, which come into force on 1 April 2016, set out exceptions to and circumstances in which exemptions may be given from the rent regime otherwise applicable, make alternative provision for certain excepted categories, and define certain terms used in the 2016 Act. For the regulations, click here For section 23 of the 2016 Act, click here

Housing in London
The Mayor of London has published the Annual Monitoring Report for 2014-15. The report shows that the city has failed to meet its Key Performance Indicator target of completing 13,200 net additional affordable homes per year: completions were down 6% on the preceding year. For the report, click here For a commentary upon the report, click here

‘Pay to stay’
On 21 March 2016 the House of Commons Library published a briefing paper which provides information on the ‘pay to stay’ scheme in England under which social landlords can charge tenants with an income of over £60,000 market or near market rents. The Government has included measures in the Housing and Planning Bill, currently before Parliament, to make higher rents compulsory in due course for council tenants earning over £40,000 in London and £30,000 elsewhere. Housing associations will have discretion over whether or not to implement higher rents for tenants with these income levels. For the briefing paper, click here

Private renting
On 15 March 2016 HomeLet published data showing that the cost of taking on a new tenancy in the private rentals market continues to rise, with the average rental agreement signed in the UK outside of London during the three months to February 2016 costing 4.8% more than in the same period a year ago. Average rents for new tenancies in London are 7.7% higher than the same period last year. For the detailed figures, click here For the company’s commentary upon them, click here

Rough sleeping – Wales
The Welsh Government has published the latest annual report on the estimated number of persons sleeping rough and observed sleeping rough. In the two weeks between 2nd and 15th November 2015, local authorities estimate that 240 persons were sleeping rough across Wales over this period. For the report, click here

Gypsies and travellers – Wales
Section 101 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 requires a local housing authority to carry out assessments of the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers residing in or resorting to its area. The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 (Commencement No. 6) Order 2016 brings into force from 16 March 2016 section 103, which requires a local housing authority in Wales to exercise its power under section 56 of the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 (power of authorities to provide sites for mobile homes) so far as necessary to meet the needs identified in the local housing authority’s approved assessment of accommodation needs carried out under section 101. Section 104 gives the Welsh Ministers power to direct a local housing authority to exercise its powers under section 56 of the Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 so far as necessary to meet the needs identified in the local housing authority’s approved assessment, where the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that a local housing authority has failed to comply with its duty under section 103 of the Act. A local housing authority must comply with such a direction given to it. For the order, click here For the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, click here

Housing market (1)
On 22 March 2016 the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee held the final public evidence session of its inquiry into the economics of the UK housing market by taking evidence from Housing Minister, Brandon Lewis, and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Damian Hinds. For information about the inquiry, click here

Housing market (2)
New research by Ipsos MORI for Shelter has found that 74% of people in younger ‘Generations X and Y’ believe that it is harder for them to get a home to settle down in – either as a homeowner or a renter – than it was for their parents’ generation. This compares to only 44% of people born in the ‘Baby Boomer’ or Pre-War years. For the poll, click here

Start Spreading The News
If your organisation has a success story such as the effective use of legislation or a new policy or practice initiative that may be of interest to other Housing Professionals then please send details to info@housinglawweek.co.uk so that we can consider including it in a future issue of HLW and bring it to the attention of fellow practitioners.
HOUSING LAWS IN THE PIPELINE

Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 
This statute makes provision about: the benefit cap; social security and tax credits; loans for mortgage interest; and social housing rents. The Bill received Royal Assent on 16 March 2016. For the Act, click here 

Housing and Planning Bill

This is a UK Government Bill about social and private rented housing, rogue landlords, estate agents, planning and compulsory purchase. It has completed all its House of Commons stages and is now passing through the House of Lords. The Bill entered Committee on 9 February 2016. For a copy of the Bill as presented in the Lords, click here For the Explanatory Notes, click here For the official Impact Assessment of the Bill, click here  To follow the progress of the Bill, click here . To read the debates at all stages of the Bill, click here. For the House of Lords Library research briefing on the Bill, click here For a comment from the National Federation of ALMOs calling for changes to the provisions in the Bill relating to HMRC data sharing (and relevant to ‘Pay to Stay’ proposals), click here For a letter to The Guardian, signed by more than 70 academics, objecting to the proposals in the Bill, click here

Immigration Bill
This UK Government Bill would create four new offences to target those landlords and agents who repeatedly fail to comply with the ‘right-to-rent scheme’ by letting to tenants subject to immigration restrictions or who fail to evict tenants who they know or have reasonable cause to believe are disqualified from renting as a result of their immigration status. The Bill has completed its House of Commons stages and has now moved into the House of Lords and has entered the Report stage. For a copy of the Bill as amended in Committee, click here  For the Explanatory Notes for the Bill as it entered the Lords, click here  For the official Impact Assessment, click here  For the debates at all stages of the passage of the Bill, click here To follow the progress of the Bill, click here 

Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill 2015
This is a Government Bill introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 7 October 2015. For a copy of the Bill, the Explanatory Notes and related official documents, and to follow the progress of the Bill, click here For the final Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Bill, click here For the Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment on the Bill, click here For the final Equality Impact Assessment for the Bill, click here For the Briefing on the Bill produced by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, click here For a supplemental memorandum describing provisions in the Bill conferring power to make subordinate legislation which were either introduced to the Bill or amended at Stage 2, click here The Bill completed Stage 1 on 22 January 2016. For a report on the debate, click here Committee consideration of the Bill at Stage 2 took place during February 2016, and Stage 3 was passed on 17 March 2016. The Bill is now in the 4 week reconsideration stage and if it not challenged by the Advocate General during that period will be submitted for Royal Assent. For the Bill as passed, click here

Housing (Amendment) Bill
This is a Bill introduced in the Assembly by the Northern Ireland Executive. It would make provision for the better sharing of information relating to empty homes or to anti-social behaviour and provide for the registration of certain loans as statutory charges. For a copy of the Bill, click here For the explanatory memorandum (listed under ‘All associated documents and links’), click here  For a commentary on the Bill, click here The Bill completed the Further Consideration Stage on 15 February. For an official report of the Further Consideration Stage, click here The Bill passed the Final Stage on 23 February and is awaiting Royal Assent. To read a report of proceedings (commencing at 3.30 pm), click here To follow progress of the Bill, click here

Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill
This is a Bill introduced in the Assembly by the Northern Ireland Executive.  It would make provision for and in connection with the licensing of houses in multiple occupation in Northern Ireland. The Bill completed the Further Consideration Stage on 7 March 2016 and Final Stage on 15 March 2016. For an official report of the proceedings, click here For a copy of the Bill as amended at Further Consideration Stage, click here For an Explanatory and Financial memorandum at that stage, click here  

Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill
This is a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Karen Buck MP. It would amend the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to require that residential rented accommodation is provided and maintained in a state of fitness for human habitation. For a copy of the Bill, click here   It had its Second Reading on 16 October 2015 but was talked-out. It was again listed for a Second Reading on 11 March 2016 but was objected to and the Second Reading debate will resume on 22 April 2016. However, the House is not expected to be sitting on that date and, unless it does so, the Bill will not progress in this session. For details on the (unlikely) future progress of the Bill, click here For a lawyer’s commentary on its content, click here For the Shelter Blog on the Bill and its importance, click here For a commentary from Dr Stephen Battersby, click here For the House of Commons Library Briefing on the Bill, click here  For the MP’s own perspective on her Bill being talked-out in October 2015, click here For the response of the MP who talked-out the Bill, click here

Local Government Finance (Tenure Information) Bill
This is a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Dame Angela Watkinson MP. It would amend the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to make provision for collecting information about tenure and the details of private landlords. For a copy of the Bill, click here  It had a First Reading on 24 June 2015 and its Second Reading is to be on a date yet to be announced. Since there are no available dates for Second Reading of Private Members’ Bills in the current session, the Bill will not progress in this session. For details on the progress of the Bill, click here For the Briefing Paper prepared by the House of Commons Library, click here

Crown Tenancies Bill
This is a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Mark Pawsey MP but which now has UK Government support. It would provide that Crown tenancies (mainly of properties owned by Government Departments) may be assured tenancies for the purposes of the Housing Act 1988, subject to certain exceptions, and would modify the assured tenancies regime in relation to certain Crown tenancies (including by provision of a new ground for possession).  It had a First Reading on 24 June 2015 and its Second Reading was been re-scheduled for 11 March 2016 but on that occasion was not moved for a Second Reading. Since there are no available dates for Second Reading of Private Members’ Bills in the current session, the Bill will not progress in this session. For a copy of the Bill, click here For the Explanatory Notes, click here  For details on the progress of the Bill, click here For the House of Commons Library Briefing note that has been prepared for the Second Reading, click here

NEW HOUSING CASES

CN (a protected party suing by his litigation friend the Official Solicitor) and GN (a child suing by his litigation friend the Official Solicitor) v Poole Borough Council [2016] EWHC 569 QB
Both of the claimants were under 18 and wished to pursue damages claims in which they alleged that the Local Authority had failed to protect them and to remove them from their home (if need be, taking them into care) to protect them from alleged prolonged abuse, anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour perpetrated by a family who lived on the same Council estate. 
The claims were struck out by Master Eastman but on appeal Mrs Justice Slade found that the claims against the Council for alleged negligence had been wrongly struck out and that the House of Lords judgment in X v Bedfordshire County Council [1995] 2 AC 633 did not preclude these child claimants from pursuing a claim “in the circumstances of this case.”  The claims needed to be considered on their particular facts to determine whether all of the elements required to establish a cause of action had been present.  The issue was not one that should have been determined on an application to strike out the claim.  Accordingly, Her Ladyship allowed the appeal and set aside the order striking out the claims.  For the full judgment click here

R (Antwa) v Lambeth Children's Social Services QB (Administrative Court), 10 March 2016)
The applicant applied to extend an interim mandatory injunction she had obtained against Lambeth Council which required the Council to accommodate her and her children pending her application for judicial review. The Council had concluded that the children’s father would financially support the family and that the alleged break up was a façade. His Lordship concluded that the Council had conducted a lawful needs assessment and refused to order that the injunction be continued. For commentary on the case click here

Landlord Prosecution for Breach of HMO Regulations
London Borough of Waltham Forest Council reports a prosecution of a landlord for multiple breaches of HMO Regulations including damp, disrepair to amenities and kitchen waste flowing directly into the rear yard to the property.  The Landlord had previously held an HMO licence but this had been revoked following a previous inspection revealing poor conditions and breaches of licence conditions.  The Landlord was convicted at Thames Magistrates Court and sentenced to a fine of £7000.  For details click here (the report is on page 7)

Gas Safety Prosecution
Westminster Magistrates' Court has sentenced a landlord to an eight week sentence of imprisonment suspended for 12 months for gas safety failings.  The landlord had failed to have a gas boiler checked by a suitably qualified engineer or to obtain the relevant Gas Safety Register certificate.  The tenant of the property had raised concerns about a carbon monoxide leak. A Health & Safety Executive inspector confirmed that: “It is the duty of landlords to ensure gas safety checks are carried out to protect tenants from the fatal risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.” For further details click here

Committal for Contempt (1)
His Honour Judge Main QC committed the Defendant to prison for breach of an order which prohibited her from engaging in nuisance behaviour in her neighbourhood, entering a restricted area or allowing a specified individual to enter or remain at her property.  The judge imposed a sentence of imprisonment totalling 2 months or until lawfully discharged if sooner and ordered that a warrant of committal be issued forthwith. For further details click here

Committal for Contempt (2)
His Honour Judge Harington sitting in the Gloucester County Court sentenced the Defendant to 42 days imprisonment for contempt of court, the sentence to be suspended on condition that he does not again breach the Anti Social Behaviour Injunction. For further details click here
Sign up here to ensure you receive your own copy of this invaluable free weekly update
HOUSING LAW CONSULTATIONS

Homes and Communities Agency
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the national housing, land and regeneration agency; and the regulator of social housing providers in England. The DCLG is carrying out a review of the Homes and Communities Agency and has called for evidence from any interested stakeholders. Those wishing to respond are invited to complete a survey by 24 March 2016. For the survey, click here

Use of data in public sector organisations
The Cabinet Office has launched a consultation into the sharing and use of data in public sector organisations. One of the aims is stated as reduction “of the billions of pounds lost and cost to the taxpayer in preventing, detecting and dealing with fraud against the public sector.” For the press release click here For the consultation document and impact assessments, click here The consultation closes on 22 April 2016

McKenzie Friends in the courts
The Judicial Executive Board (JEB) has issued a consultation paper proposing reforms to the existing guidance for 'McKenzie Friends', ie non-lawyers who offer assistance and in some cases seek to appear as advocates on behalf of litigants-in-person (LiPs) in civil cases. The JEB has invited comments from court users to be submitted by 19 May 2016. For the consultation paper, click here
HOUSING LAW ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
Why the UK housing market is brutal if you're young, LGBT and homeless Emma Jackson [2016] Guardian 22 March. To read the article, click here

Majority fears future generations 'will never be able to buy a home' Robert Booth [2016] Guardian 21 March. To read the article, click here

Government support for the private market is more than double its spending on affordable homes
[2016] Red Brick Blog 20 March. To read the article, click here

The women who escape domestic abuse but lose their social housing Kirstie Brewer [2016] Guardian 17 March. To read the article, click here

Homeless crisis: muted response to budget as charities focus on causes
Amelia Gentleman [2016] Guardian 16 March. To read the article, click here

Recent Developments in Housing Law Jan Luba QC & Nic Madge [2016] March issue of Legal Action magazine. Available in print and on-line for Legal Action subscribers. For the latest issue, click here For back-issues, click here

10 things you should know about the housing bill
Tom Wall [2016] EHN Online 16 March. To read the article, click here

Budget 2016 – the housing and homelessness bits
Toby Lloyd [2016] Shelter Blog 16 March. To read the article, click here

Beyond the bubble – housing and the public
Ben Marshall [2016] CIH Blog 15 March. To read the article, click here

 

THE HOUSING LAW DIARY

24 March 2016           
Closing date for responses for the Homes and Communities Agency review (see Housing Law Consultations above)

RECRUITMENT

Senior Housing Officer (Ref: SHO1080) (Hightown Housing Association)

Location: Hemel Hempstead
£30,156 pa plus ongoing training, generous holiday, occupational pension and life assurance.
35 hours per week 
Due to the nature of the role you must have a driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Hightown is a charitable housing association, providing affordable housing to families and single people across Herts, Beds and Bucks. 

We are looking for a Senior Housing Officer who will be responsible for providing a highly professional, customer focused housing management service to Hightown’s residents in rented accommodation and for the first line management of housing administration staff.

Duties will include the tenancy management of properties including; tenancy sign ups, tenancy monitoring and reviews, taking appropriate action on breaches of tenancies, working in conjunction with the Income Recovery team to ensure appropriate action is taken to deal with arrears of rent and charges, allocating and letting properties, and ensuring that tenants are able to become involved in the management of their homes.  They will seek to improve the level of service in response to changing resident’s demands, regulatory requirements and best practice. Duties will also include the management of a team of administrative staff who are responsible for supporting the Housing team.
 
Pay and rewards:
We offer a range of benefits including:

  • Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days per year, rising with service, plus statutory bank holidays
  • Workplace pension scheme
  • Employee Assistance scheme to support your health and wellbeing
  • Life assurance of three times your annual salary


Closing date: 1st April 2016
Interview date: 11th April 2016

To apply, please click here (the vacancy is listed on the page below the map) and complete the online application form. Please ensure that you give examples of how you meet the essential requirements of the person specification.

This recruitment process will be carried out online and we would ask that you check your emails regularly. Please also quote the reference number of the job (ie (Ref: SHO1080)) when applying.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

 
 

Housing Management Lawyer Vacancy (Croftons Solicitors LLP)

The Firm:  Croftons Solicitors LLP is a leading provider of legal services and solutions to the housing and regeneration sector, acting for over 45 registered providers, RSLs, ALMOs and Local authorities, and served by 27 specialist lawyers across legal disciplines (including all aspects of property, finance, housing management, governance and regulation).
Band one in Chambers and Partners for social housing and gold accreditation for Investors in People.

Housing Management team:  Our current team consists of a Partner, an Associate, and has support from 4 Trainee Solicitors and a Paralegal.

Post:  As a result of continued growth, we are creating a new position targeted at a qualified solicitor or FILEX up to 2 years pqe, or may equally suit a part qualified candidate with strong relevant experience.  Conducting hearings is key to this role.  Advocacy experience is an advantage therefore, but at the least, all applicants should have an interest in advocacy and a sound understanding of housing management.

To apply please send your CV and covering letter to Melanie Dirom:  Melanie.Dirom@croftons.co.uk.  Please ensure your application includes full details of your experience/passion in the housing and regeneration sector, your relevant legal competencies, and your current salary.

 
 

Customer Solutions Manager (Job Reference: 5421)
Central Bedfordshire Council


The Council are looking to recruit a Customer Solutions Manager, responsible for developing and improving the Housing Solutions operating model where risk management, quality assurance and cost avoidance systems are inter-related.

The role is challenging but rewarding and will join up customer experience with service improvement and development. Responding to customer and stakeholder experience and challenge sits alongside implementing the learning for the Housing Service operations.

Team:  Housing Solutions
Salary: £43,852 - £46,786 pa
Hours: Full-Time, 37 hours per week
Closing Date: 28th March 2016
Interview Date: 13th April 2016

For further details click here

For an informal discussion about this position, please contact:
Nick Costin on 0300 300 5219 or email nick.costin@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

For any other recruitment related queries please contact: HR Services Recruitment Team on 0300 300 8157
 
 

Housing and Health Strategy Officer  (Vacancy ref H00014)                         
Lichfield District Council
£26,293 - £29,558 p.a.

Lichfield District Council is seeking to appoint to a new key post within its Housing Strategy team.  Working closely with the Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager and a broad range of partners, you’ll help develop and deliver principal strategies in a range of key areas from housing, to homelessness, to empty properties.  You will also work on enabling new affordable housing in the district and assessing housing need and demand. Responsible for developing and monitoring service level agreements with our partners you will ensure the successful delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants and the Council’s Housing Assistance Policy as well as the Council’s energy efficiency initiatives. You will also work on developing public health interventions and various public health initiatives and projects.

It is essential you have a relevant professional track record. Your experience in housing, public health or a related field will span partnership working; developing and monitoring contracts or service level agreements; writing reports and carrying out research. You will need to be both highly organised and an effective communicator.

Informal enquiries can be made to Lucy Robinson on 01543 308712 or by email: lucy.robinson@lichfielddc.gov.uk. Please quote vacancy ref H00014 with any enquiry.
For comprehensive further details and an application pack click here

Closing date: 29th March 2016
 
 

Homelessness Reviews Officer – Leeds

Housing Reviews Limited is an independent company providing a housing reviews (s166A & s202 Housing Act 1996) service to local authorities in England.

We are now recruiting a full time experienced Homelessness Reviews Officer for our office in Leeds. We are looking for an individual who is highly motivated, experienced and committed to providing high quality s202 Homeless review decisions on behalf of several local authorities throughout England.

Purpose of the Job:-
To receive, investigate and conclude s202 homelessness appeals on behalf of several local authorities.

Essential experience:-

  • The ability to write legally sound s202 review decision letters in the 5 areas of homelessness and suitability.
  • Excellent knowledge of homelessness legislation and case law including, current housing issues and current government homelessness policies.
  • Experience in working within a Housing Options/Homelessness department.
  • The confidence to liaise with homeless applicants and their legal representatives as well as other agencies on a daily basis.
  • Experience of using IT applications including, word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
  • Excellent verbal and written skills.
  • An effective problem solver with an organised and imaginative approach to their work and the ability to manage difficult situations.
  • Ability to work on own initiative, work well under pressure, prioritise work and meet strict deadlines.
  • Experience of case management.
  • An effective team player with a track record of developing positive relationships with colleagues and managers.

In return Housing Reviews Limited can offer you a competitive salary & benefits, plus the flexibility to work from home.

Please forward your Curriculum Vitae in the first instance to lucia@housingreviews.co.uk or call 0113 8160210 if you require more information.

 
 

Principal Housing Solicitor Vacancy - Brixton Advice Centre
Full-time position.
Salary up to £40,000 p.a.

Brixton Advice Centre seek a full-time Housing Solicitor to lead our experienced and dedicated Housing Team. This will be an external appointment. Although the post is full-time we may consider part-time (3 days per week minimum) depending upon the quality of the applicant.

Closing date: 31 March 2016 (5 pm)

For further details click here

For an applicant specification click here

For the job description click here

 
 
Lime Legal Limited, Greengate House, 87 Pickwick Road, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9B