Housing

Welsh Government to consult on extending notice period for no-fault evictions in the private rented sector

Shelter Cymru welcomes interim measure, ahead of no-fault evictions being ended completely

Scottish Government called upon to review operation of possession pre-action requirements across social rented sector

Shelter Scotland analysis finds that number of evictions by social landlords in Scotland has increased by 44 per cent over last five years

Select Committee expresses disappointment at procedural failures in process to appoint new Housing Ombudsman

Government neglected to consult or provide information within timescales set out in Cabinet Office guidance, says Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Government will take further action ‘as necessary’ to help existing leaseholders with onerous ground rent terms

Response to Select Committee report on leasehold reform says voluntary ground rent review scheme will be monitored before legislation or compensation is considered

APPG calls for increased funding of home improvements to address impact of poor housing on older people’s health

New report on housing for older people also calls for restored funding for national and local housing advice services

Hundreds of thousands of private renters are living in unsafe properties, says Citizens Advice

New report blames weak regulation of private rented sector for landlords' failure to meet obligations and calls for establishment of national housing body to set consistent standards

Consultation on tenancy deposit reform launched by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Views sought on barriers tenants face in providing second deposit when moving to a new tenancy and what can be done to improve deposit affordability

Government confirms that it will legislate to ensure that all new houses are sold on freehold basis

Response to consultation on leasehold reform also confirms that freeholders on private and mixed-use estates will have right to challenge reasonableness of estate rent charges

High Court rules that ‘sell and rent back’ freeholder is 'estopped' from repossessing property from previous owners

Ground Rents (Leasehold Properties) Bill receives first reading in the Commons

Private Member's Bill seeks to cap ground rents at the lower of £250 per annum or 0.1 per cent of the property value

£12.8 billion a year needed to end the housing crisis, says NHF

Building 145,000 social homes each year for ten years could significantly reduce homelessness and reduce poverty amongst families currently living in the private rented sector

Homelessness applications increase for second year running in Scotland

New National Statistics for Scotland also show an 8 per cent increase in rough sleeping compared to the previous year

Eligibility for social housing in Wales

New statutory instrument

Variable LHA rates and three year tenancies needed to help tackle homelessness crisis

Local Government Homelessness Commission also calls for commitment to deliver a combined housing and homelessness strategy

Exclusion from Private Residential Tenancies in Scotland

New statutory instrument

Government urged to scrap the ‘centuries-old’ Vagrancy Act

Rough sleepers need long-term support and stable accommodation, not criminalisation, says Crisis

Right to Rent checks among immigration enforcement provisions that are 'ultimately racially discriminatory’

UN report on racism and human rights also finds evidence of ‘persistent racial disparities’ in areas including education, employment, housing and health