Housing news and case law

19 May, 2022 Open access

High Court rules that London Borough of Lambeth’s failure to properly consider Everyone In policy in refusing to accommodate woman with no recourse to public funds made decision unlawful

R(Cort) v London Borough of Lambeth [2022] EWHC 1085 (Admin)

19 May, 2022

Government’s quarterly possession statistics show private landlord ‘no-fault’ accelerated possession claims are at their highest level since 2018

Responding to the figures, Shelter warns that more landlords are kicking tenants out of their homes just as the cost of living crisis rages, and calls on government to scrap section 21 evictions now 'as every minute wasted puts another renter at risk’

19 May, 2022

Council found at fault for leaving a family including a child with disabilities without home adaptations they needed because of confusion around who was responsible for the work

Ombudsman reminds all councils administering Disabled Facilities Grants that they need to ensure their processes are transparent and accountable

18 May, 2022

Court of Appeal upholds High Court ruling that a local authority has no power to accept a late review of its decision not to grant another tenancy on the expiry of the fixed term of a flexible tenancy

Kalonga, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Croydon [2022] EWCA Civ 670

16 May, 2022

High Court rules that a property must be incapable of occupation for its intended purpose in order to cease to be a hereditament for council tax purposes

Bunyan (Listing Officer) v Patel [2022] EWHC 1143 (Admin)

16 May, 2022

High Court rules that eviction and sale of claimant’s leasehold home is ‘null and void’ as a result of enforcement action taken in breach of conditions under mental health crisis moratorium

Lees v Kaye [2022] EWHC 1151 (QB)

13 May, 2022 Open access

Exempting people who offer their second home for free as part of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme from having to register as a landlord in Scotland

New statutory instrument

12 May, 2022

Housing Ombudsman makes finding of severe maladministration in relation to landlord’s failings in dealing with a complaint from resident with vulnerabilities

Ombudsman also highlights intention to conduct wider inquiry into Clarion Housing Group's handling of damp and mould and pest infestation in light of other cases about similar issues

12 May, 2022

Council pays £6,000 to family left in overcrowded housing for more than a year after accepting it did not do enough to help when they were threatened with homelessness

Ombudsman investigation finds Bromley Council at fault for failing to consider issues of overcrowding and interim accommodation in a timely way and only reviewing the prevention duty after the family complained

12 May, 2022

Repeal of Vagrancy Act one step closer as Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill receives Royal Assent

New legislation also contains measures in relation to the transmission and recording of court and tribunal proceedings

11 May, 2022 Open access

Temporary easement of suitability obligations on England’s local authorities to open up greater supply of temporary accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan humanitarian crises

New statutory instrument

10 May, 2022

Government confirms reintroduction of a Renters Reform Bill that will include provision to abolish ‘no-fault’ section 21 evictions

Queen's Speech also outlines details of plans for private landlords to have new and stronger possession grounds, and for a new Social Housing Regulation Bill

10 May, 2022

Legislation to improve the regulation of social housing, strengthen the rights of tenants and ensure better quality, safer homes announced in Queen’s Speech

Government says the new Social Housing Regulation Bill ‘will eradicate the poor treatment of tenants by some landlords’

10 May, 2022

Welsh Government launches consultation on post-Covid-19 pandemic support for homeless people

Views invited by 20 June 2022 on proposals including adding those sleeping rough as a new category of person in priority need

6 May, 2022 Open access

Government issues new Homes for Ukraine guidance to help people find a sponsor in the UK

'Recognised Provider' organisations listed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities can also help UK citizens become sponsors

6 May, 2022

Renters’ Reform Coalition urges government to deliver on 2019 promise to end ‘no fault’ evictions in next week’s Queen’s Speech

Letter to Prime Minister calls for long-awaited Renters' Reform Bill to 'make 2022 the year unfair evictions end for good'

5 May, 2022

Court of Appeal rules that council’s queuing system for applicants owed the main housing duty who needed to move from unsuitable accommodation was unlawful

Elkundi, R (On the Application Of) v Birmingham City Council [2022] EWCA Civ 601

4 May, 2022

Government sets out details of ‘New Burdens’ down-payments made in relation to council tax energy rebate

Writing to all local authorities in England, DLUHC advises that initial payments were made on 29 April 2022

3 May, 2022

Housing commitments in the 2022 manifestos of the Northern Ireland political parties

Election round-up

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