Housing

Scottish Government says it will consider taking a phased approach to introduction of new homelessness prevention duties

Setting out a plan of action in response to the housing emergency in Scotland, Minister highlights local authorities' concerns about introducing new duties at a time when they are experiencing 'other pressures'

Freeholder’s available remedies for breach of settlement agreement included seeking forfeiture of lease

29 Buckland Crescent Management Company Limited v White [2024] EWHC 1480 (Ch)

High Court dismisses homeless refugee’s challenges to council’s decision he was not in priority need, and Home Office’s policy change that shortened the move-on period from asylum accommodation

ZR v London Borough of Haringey & Anor [2024] EWHC 1476 (Admin)

High Court rules that freeholder was not entitled to declaration that it could replace old block heating system with new one that would increase leaseholders’ repair and maintenance costs

Triplark Ltd v Whale & Ors [2024] EWHC 1440 (Ch)

Election 2024 Manifesto round-up | Labour: Housing

Commitments include to immediately legislate to abolish Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and take steps to improve standards by extending 'Awaab's Law' to the private sector

Election 2024 Manifesto round-up | Liberal Democrats: Housing

Commitments include ending rough sleeping and protecting social tenants

Setting of minimum standards to require private landlords in Northern Ireland to provide and maintain fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their rental properties

New statutory rule

Round-up of recent Upper Tribunal housing case law

Round-up of recent Ombudsman decisions and reports

Select Committee says there is ‘little evidence’ that DLUHC is treating disabled people’s needs as a priority in housing policy

MPs set out series of recommendations including to implement standards for accessible and adaptable housing, and to review upper limits of DFGs taking account of inflation and construction costs

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill completes its passage through Parliament

Bill introduced in Autumn 2023 to 'liberate' leaseholders receives Royal Assent

Housing sector joins Shadow Housing Minister in criticism of government’s failure to pass Renters Reform Bill in current parliamentary session

Bill that was first promised in 2019 has not been included in the final business of both House so will fall when Parliament is prorogued ahead of General Election

High Court rules that the mere fact of making a fresh homelessness application does not automatically or impliedly constitute the abandonment of a prior application subject to an extant appeal

Fertre v Vale of White Horse District Council [2024] EWHC 1234 (KB)

Government announces change to duration of EUSS pre-settled status extensions and related relaxation of requirements for further right to rent and work checks

Change from two to five years designed to further support implementation of 2022 High Court judgment in case brought by Independent Monitoring Authority

Welsh Government’s Rent and Service Charge Standard extended to March 2026

Current formula and guidance for calculating rent increases in social housing to remain in place for another year

Court of Appeal rules that Care Act 2014 does not impose a duty on local authorities to provide accommodation if the individual is eligible for housing under the Housing Act 1996

Campbell, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Ealing [2024] EWCA Civ 540

Government launches consultation on proposed new rights for social housing tenants to request information about the management of their homes

Following commitment in the social housing White Paper, access to information scheme aims to enable tenants to hold their landlords to account and drive up the quality of the homes and services they provide