19th February 2020
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HOUSING LAW NEWS & POLICY ISSUES
 

National Housing Federation Launches Shared Ownership Campaign
The NHF has launched a new campaign in partnership with more than 40 housing associations to improve the public’s understanding of shared ownership. The campaign has been in development for two years and will involve three years of marketing. Ella Cheney, Shared Ownership Programme Manager at the National Housing Federation, said:

“Over the last decade, it’s become so much harder to get a foot on the housing ladder. Shared ownership is a great potential solution, but the problem is that too many people just don’t know about it. When people have heard of it, there’s a lot of misunderstanding about the product. We knew the whole sector was keen to overcome these barriers, and that’s what this campaign sets out to do.

To read the full announcement click here.

First Homes could make social homes “extinct”
Shelter’s Chief Executive, Polly Neate, has said that the government’s First Homes plan could make social homes “extinct”. Writing for the Guardian, Neate warned that First Homes would be built instead of social homes, not in addition to them. For the full article, click here.

New Housing Minister
On 13 February 2020 Christopher Pincher was appointed Minister of State for Housing in place of Esther McVey. Mr Pincher is the tenth housing minister in the last ten years. He was first elected Conservative MP for Tamworth in May 2010. He was previously Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 25 July 2019 to 13 February 2020 and Deputy Chief Whip, Treasurer of HM Household from 9 January 2018 to 25 July 2019. The rest of the ministerial team at MHCLG remains unchanged. For more details, click here.

Domestic homicide figures for 2019: Crisis response
On 13 February 2020 Crisis responded to ONS figures that showed that 80 women were killed by a partner or ex-partner between April 2018 and March 2019. This is a 27 per cent increase from the previous year. Crisis noted that under the current system survivors of domestic abuse in England are not automatically entitled to a safe home from their local council. Crisis is working with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ending Homelessness to call on the government to ensure that anyone fleeing domestic abuse is guaranteed a safe home in the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill. Hannah Gousy, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Crisis, said:
“The government must act now. The forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill is the chance to fundamentally change one of the biggest barriers for people fleeing domestic abuse by guaranteeing survivors a safe, settled home. We cannot continue putting lives in danger.”
For the full response, click here. For the homicide statistics, click here.

Landlord possession statistics – England and Wales
On 13 February 2020 the Ministry of Justice published quarterly national statistics on possession claim actions in county courts by mortgage lenders and social and private landlords. The statistics cover the period from October to December 2019. Landlord possession claims (25,438) and orders for possession (20,549) each decreased by 12 per cent, compared to the same quarter the previous year. Warrants of possession (12,787) and repossessions by county court bailiffs (7,528) were down by 20 and 9 per cent respectively compared to the same quarter the previous year. For the statistics (combined with those for mortgage possession below), click here.

Mortgage possession statistics – England and Wales: claims have increased year-on-year for six consecutive quarters
On 13 February 2020 the Ministry of Justice published quarterly national statistics on possession claim actions in county courts by mortgage lenders and social and private landlords. The statistics cover the period from October to December 2019. Mortgage possession claims have increased year-on-year for six consecutive quarters, following a three-and-a-half-year period of stability. Mortgage possession claims in the quarter (6,258) have increased 11 per cent compared to the same quarter the previous year. Orders for possession (4,459) and repossessions (1,149) also increased by 24 and 9 per cent respectively compared to the same quarter the previous year. Warrants issued decreased by 17 per cent to 3,792. For the statistics (combined with those for landlord possession above), click here.

Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission begins work
On 13 February 2020 the MHCLG announced that the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission’s community representatives have chosen Thelma Stober and Michael Lockwood as their co-chairs. The Commission will be working closely with the bereaved, survivors and the community to decide the most fitting and appropriate way to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy, and how the memorial site will be owned and managed in the long term. For the announcement and bios of the co-chairs, click here.

Housing Ombudsman guidance for landlords
On 10 February 2020 the Housing Ombudsman published new guidance notes aimed at assisting landlords with policies and in responding to complaints. These guides cover the key elements the Ombudsman would expect to see in landlords’ policies and are intended to help landlords to develop their policies to reflect what is considered to be best practice. They include:

  • Complaints policy
  • Compensation policy
  • Anti-social behaviour policy
  • Managing unacceptable behaviour policy.

The Ombudsman has also developed guidance for landlords on responding to a complaint. It includes a list for landlords when investigating and responding to complaints through their complaints procedure and offers advice on issues we expect them to consider when responding to a complaint.

For the guidance notes, click here.

Councillor guilty of two counts of fraud by misrepresentation
On 12 February 2020 Royal Borough of Greenwich reported that Councillor Tonia Ashikodi has been found guilty on two counts of fraud by misrepresentation. Cllr Ashikodi applied for council housing in 2008 and signed a tenancy for a council home in 2012, despite being the owner of three properties. The jury at Inner London Crown Court unanimously found her guilty on both counts. The councillor and her father, Tony Ashikodi, were earlier acquitted of perverting the course of justice. She is due to be sentenced on 4 March. For the full report, click here.

Housing Support Grant: practice guidance – Wales
On 11 February 2020 the Welsh Government issued guidance as to how housing support grant can be used by local authorities. For the guidance, click here. For an oral statement by the Welsh Housing Minister concerning the guidance, click here.

Hidden Homelessness: campaign material – Wales
On 13 February 2020 the Welsh Government published promotional material for use in the Hidden Homelessness campaign. To access all the material, click here.

HOUSING LAWS IN THE PIPELINE
 

Domestic Premises (Energy Performance) Bill
This private member’s bill, sponsored by Lord Foster of Bath, would require the Secretary of State to ensure that domestic properties have a minimum energy performance rating of C on an Energy Performance Certificate; to make provision regarding performance and insulation of new heating systems in existing properties. The first reading was on 8 January 2020 and the second reading on 7 February 2020. The committee stage will commence on a date to be appointed. For the bill, as introduced, click here. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

Rented Homes Bill
This private member’s bill, sponsored by Baroness Grender, would amend the Housing Act 1988 to abolish assured shorthold tenancies; and to extend the grounds upon which landlords of residential housing may recover possession. First reading took place on 22 January 2020. The second reading will be on a date to be announced. For the bill, as introduced, click here. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Bill
This Government bill would amend the electronic communications code set out in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003; by doing so, it would address one stated policy barrier: making it easier for telecoms companies to access multi-dwelling buildings (such as blocks of flats) where a tenant has requested a new connection, but the landlord has not responded to requests for access rights. The bill received its first reading in the House of Commons on 8 January 2020 and its second reading on 22 January 2020. For the second reading debate, click here. The committee stage was completed on 11 February 2020. For the committee debate, click here. The report stage will be on a date to be announced. For the bill, as amended in committee, click here. To follow progress of the bill, click here. For a briefing, prepared by the House of Commons Library, click here.

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill
This Welsh Government Bill seeks to amend the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 to provide greater security for people who rent their homes in Wales. This will particularly affect those who live in the private rented sector and occupy their homes under a ‘standard occupation contract’, the equivalent to the current assured shorthold tenancy, after the 2016 Act comes into force. This additional security will primarily be achieved by extending the minimum notice period for issuing a section 173 notice under the 2016 Act (the equivalent of the current section 21 notice under the Housing Act 1988) from two months to six months. Landlords will also be prevented from issuing such a notice until at least six months from the date of occupancy. Further provisions will also ensure that landlords are unable to issue rolling ‘speculative’ notices on a ‘just in case’ basis. The bill was introduced in the Senedd on 10 February 2020. The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee has issued a call for evidence, which closes on 12 March 2020. For the bill, as introduced, all other documents relating to it, and to follow progress on the  bill, click here.

Caravan Sites Bill
This private members’ bill, sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope, would amend the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 to remove planning permission requirements for caravan site licence applicants. The bill is being prepared for publication. It received its first reading in the House of Commons on 10 February 2020 and is due to receive its second reading on 12 June 2020. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

Evictions (Universal Credit Claimants) Bill
This private members’ bill, sponsored by Chris Stephens, seeks to place a duty on the Secretary of State to prevent the evictions of Universal Credit claimants in rent arrears. The bill is being prepared for publication. It received its first reading in the House of Commons on 10 February 2020 and is due to receive its second reading on 27 November 2020. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

Homeless People (Current Accounts) Bill
This private members’ bill, sponsored by Peter Bone, would require banks to provide current accounts for homeless people seeking work. The bill is being prepared for publication. It received its first reading in the House of Commons on 10 February 2020 and is due to receive its second reading on 15 January 2021. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

Mobile Homes Act 1983 (Amendment) Bill
This private members’ bill, sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope, seeks to amend the Mobile Homes Act 1983. The bill is being prepared for publication. It received its first reading in the House of Commons on 10 February 2020 and is due to receive its second reading on 12 June 2020. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

Mobile Homes and Park Homes Bill
This private members’ bill, sponsored by Sir Christopher Chope, would require the use of published criteria to determine whether mobile homes and park homes are liable for council tax or non-domestic rates; make provision in relation to the residential status of such homes; and amend the Mobile Home Acts. The bill is being prepared for publication. It received its first reading in the House of Commons on 10 February 2020 and is due to receive its second reading on 16 October 2020. To follow progress of the bill, click here.

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HOUSING LAW CONSULTATIONS
 

Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments
The Government is consulting on measures to criminalise the act of trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales and, in particular, on:

  • amending section 62A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to permit the police to direct trespassers to suitable authorised sites located in neighbouring local authority areas
  • amending sections 61 and 62A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to increase the period of time in which trespassers directed from land would be unable to return from three months to twelve months
  • amending section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to lower the number of vehicles needing to be involved in an unauthorised encampment before police powers can be exercised from six to two or more vehicles
  • amending section 61 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to enable the police to remove trespassers from land that forms part of the highway.

For the consultation, which closes on 4 March 2020, click here.

Review of the ban on the use of combustible materials in and on the external walls of buildings
This consultation seeks views on the ban of the use of combustible materials in and on external walls of buildings, including building types covered, height threshold, list of exemptions, attachments such as blinds, shutters and awnings, and a proposal to specifically ban the use of metal composite panels in and on the external walls of all buildings. In the Explanatory Memorandum published alongside the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018 the Government committed to review the effectiveness of the ban after one year. This is a consultation on proposed changes to the Regulations following that review. As part of the review, in June 2019 the Government commissioned a study of the impact of the ban which took the form of an online survey issued to 100 relevant organisations. The full analysis of responses to this survey have been published alongside this consultation. For the consultation document, which closes on 13 April 2020, click here. For the analysis of survey responses, click here. To respond to the consultation, click here.

Housing supply; net additional dwellings statistics: proposed changes to revisions policy
Housing supply; net additional dwellings statistics is the MHCLG’s main officially published measure of housing supply and currently no revisions to these figures are permitted after they have been published, except every ten years at the time of the new census. MHCLG is proposing to change this policy to have more frequent annual revisions to the release which will improve the accuracy of previous years’ estimates of housing supply. The consultation closes on 26 March 2020. For the consultation document, click here. Responses should be by email to Housing.Statistics@communities.gov.uk.

Regulator of Social Housing’s consultation on equality objectives
The Regulator of Social Housing has proposed three equality objectives which seek to strike an appropriate balance in meeting its general equality duty in its day to day work alongside a co-regulatory approach to regulation. Private registered providers, local authority registered providers, tenants, lenders and other interested stakeholders are invited to give feedback on whether they think the proposed objectives meet the RSH’s obligations under the Equality Act, and if appropriate activity has been identified to help achieve the overall objective. The consultation will close on 26 March 2020. For the consultation document, click here.

First Homes
This consultation seeks views on First Homes for local people, considering both the design of this policy and options for its implementation.

It covers the following areas:

  • what First Homes are and who should be eligible for them
  • how the scheme should work in practice
  • how to deliver more of these homes through developer contributions
  • the requirement for delivering these homes through planning or legislation.

The consultation closes on 3 April 2020. For the consultation document, click here.

Estate charges on housing developments – Wales
The Welsh Government is calling for evidence on:

  • the services provided and the reasons why the practice might have become more common
  • the costs involved and the experience of residents in relation to these charges.

The consultation closes on 30 April 2020. For the consultation document and to respond, click here.

Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill: call for evidence
The Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee of the National Assembly for Wales is undertaking an inquiry into the general principles of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill.  The Committee’s terms of reference are to consider:

  • the general principles of the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill and the need for legislation to deliver the stated policy intention. In coming to a view on this you may wish to consider addressing the individual sections of the Bill;
  • any potential barriers to the implementation of the Bill’s provisions and whether the Bill takes account of them;
  • the appropriateness of the powers in the Bill for Welsh Ministers to make subordinate legislation (as set out in Chapter 5 of Part 1 of the Explanatory Memorandum);
  • whether there are any unintended consequences arising from the Bill; and
  • the financial implications of the Bill (as set out in Part 2 of the Explanatory Memorandum).

The Committee seeks written evidence to assist in its consideration of the Bill and asks that respondents use the above terms of reference to frame their responses. The consultation closes on 12 March 2020. For the consultation letter, click here. For other information concerning the call for evidence, click here.

HOUSING LAW ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
 

Housing conditions: update (Feb 20) Catherine O’Donnell Legal Action February 2020 ‒ to read the article (subscription required), click here

Housing: recent  developments Sam Madge-Wyld and Jan Luba QC Legal Action February 2020 ‒ to read the article (subscription required), click here

HOUSING LAW DIARY
 

4 March 2020                           
Consultation closes on Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments (see Housing Law Consultations)

12 March 2020                         
Call for evidence closes on Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill (see Housing Law Consultations)

26 March 2020                         
Consultation closes on Housing supply; net additional dwellings statistics: proposed changes to revisions policy (see Housing Law Consultations)

26 March 2020                         
Consultation closes on Regulator of Social Housing’s consultation on equality objectives (see Housing Law Consultations)

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RECRUITMENT

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GREAT YARMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL
HOUSING SERVICES

Rough Sleeper Coordinator (001210)

BAND 7 (£29,636 to £32,878)

Fixed term to 31 March 2021.

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Can you see solutions when others see problems?

Are you passionate about making a difference and improving people’s lives?

Do you understand why people become street homeless?

If so, the exciting new role of Rough Sleeper Coordinator is for you.  This role will be responsible for developing and shaping services for rough sleepers to support them to make effective and timely transitions to settled accommodation.

Across the borough there is already a strong and effective partnership of voluntary and statutory services who are determined to reduce rough sleeping and who have an existing track record in supporting and working with rough sleepers.  From this strong base, the role will build an understanding of the barriers which rough sleepers face and design new approaches which reduce the number of existing rough sleepers and reduce the number of people who become rough sleepers.

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator and problem solver who is able to build and sustain effective relationships and partnerships.  They will be empathetic, persuasive, tactful and assertive when needed.

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Interview dates: Thursday 12 March

Please note CVs are not accepted.

If you require any further information about this position please contact Nicola Turner, Housing Director on 01493 846516.

Apply here

 
 
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