Housing

Round-up of recent Upper Tribunal housing case law

Housing sector raises concerns about government’s proposed ‘British homes for British workers’ policy

Letter to PM and Housing Secretary highlights that policy's further rationing of an already scarce resource doesn't address the fundamental failures of the last 40 years

Tailored approach needed to prevent people sleeping rough for the first time, DLUHC-commissioned research finds

Report on drivers of rough sleeping also recommends further joint working between housing authority staff and voluntary sector, and enabling rapid responses to imminent rough sleeping

Government launches consultation on reforms to allocation of social housing in England, including introduction of ten-year UK connection test

Proposals also include disqualification of those with ASB convictions and introduction of maximum household income threshold

High Court rules that local authority was responsible for providing accommodation to asylum seeker where their accommodation-related care needs arose as a result of a physical health condition

TMX, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Croydon & Anor [2024] EWHC 129 (Admin)

Northern Ireland’s Housing Executive rent levels set to increase by 7.7 per cent in 2024/2025

Department for Communities confirms that increase equates to an average rise of £5.72 per week, bringing average weekly rents up to £79.96

Local authority was entitled to decide that tenant with ADHD and autism who was being evicted on anti-social behaviour grounds did not qualify to be placed on housing waiting list

Carly Jayne Willott, R (on the application of) v Eastbourne Borough Council [2024] EWHC 113 (Admin)

High Court rules that appellant who brought a section 204 Housing Act 1996 appeal against the wrong respondent is permitted to substitute the correct respondent by amendment

South Oxfordshire District Council & Anor v Fertre [2024] EWHC 112 (KB)

Welsh Government sets out ‘clearer strategic direction for ending homelessness in Wales’ in a new Outcomes Framework

Fulfilling commitment in its Ending Homelessness Action Plan, finalised document outlines key objectives and data indicators to support ambition to make homelessness 'rare, brief and unrepeated'

Ombudsman criticises council for failing to account for a homeless family’s disability and schooling needs when assessing suitability of interim accommodation

Wandsworth council accepts recommendations to pay more than £13,000 to the family as compensation and to reimburse extra costs caused by its decisions

Increase in maximum amount of ‘right to rent’ civil penalty from £3,000 to £20,000

New statutory instrument

APPG for Ending Homelessness calls for government action to prevent vulnerable people becoming homeless on leaving the care of public services such as hospitals, prisons and asylum accommodation

As a starting point, cross-party group of parliamentarians recommends that a multi-departmental Ministerial Roundtable be convened to explore how services can work together more effectively

Bringing into force code of practice on determining amount of ‘right to rent’ civil penalty from 13 February 2024

New statutory instrument

Scottish Government proposes transitional rent protection measures to replace emergency private rent cap provisions that expire on 31 March 2024

Rent Service Scotland will set rents based on the lowest of a property's market rate, the rent requested by the landlord or a comparator of the market rate and current rent

Savings provisions relating to ending of temporary cost of living protections for tenants in Scotland on 31 March 2024

New statutory instrument

Housing Ombudsman calls for Royal Commission to ‘re-establish housing policy as a health intervention’ and create a long-term plan for social housing in England

New spotlight report on attitudes, respect and rights focuses on vulnerabilities, what it means to be vulnerable in social housing today, and how landlords can respond effectively

Select Committee launches survey seeking disabled people’s views and experiences of finding or adapting suitable housing

Results will feed into Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee's inquiry looking at what government can do to support disabled tenants in the private rented sector in England