Housing

Council settles judicial review claim accepting that residence requirement under its housing allocation scheme discriminates against refugees and those fleeing violence

High Court hands down order requiring review and, pending amendment, for it to be disapplied to support people in similar circumstances

Round-up of recent decisions of the Housing Ombudsman

New rough sleeping data measures show that more than 8,000 people were sleeping rough in England in September 2023

DLUHC says new data framework will help measure progress in meeting its vision to end rough sleeping and help identify where action is needed to drive improved performance

Number of homeless households with children in temporary accommodation in England continues to increase to reach almost 70,000

New DLUHC figures also show that of the more than 4,000 households with children in B&B accommodation, more than half had been resident for more than the statutory limit of 6 weeks

Ensuring that use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homelessness purposes does not give rise to an occupation contract in Wales

New statutory instrument

Government to introduce new powers in Criminal Justice Bill to deal with ‘nuisance rough sleeping’

Despite DLUHC consultation revealing 'limited support' for the measures, clauses in the Bill create both a 'move on power', and a 'prevention notice' which, if not complied with, can lead to a fine or imprisonment or both

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill introduced to Parliament

Measures included in new government bill will make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to buy their freehold, increase standard lease extension terms to 990 years for houses and flats, and provide greater transparency over service charges

Using discretionary powers to help HMO tenants and those in receipt of an infected blood compensation payment with their council tax bills

Government issues reminder to local authorities in England in new council tax information letter

Council tax help for those with a Homes for Ukraine immigration permission who are not living with a sponsor

DLUHC issues new guidance to local authorities in England further to new regulations that came into force in April 2023

Homes for Ukraine ‘thank you’ payments scheme extended into a third year

However, Autmn Statement 2023 also confirms that payments will remain at £500 per month

Housing Act 1988 (Amendment) Bill receives its first reading

Introduced in the House of Lords, Private Members' Bill makes provision to ensure that long leases are not deemed to be assured tenancies for the purposes of the 1988 Act

Change in date from which provisions relating to increase in the maximum amount of the ‘right to rent’ civil penalty come into force

New commencement order revokes and replaces previous commencement order due to error in that order as to when provisions come into force

Levelling Up Secretary warned No.10 in November 2022 that removing licensing requirements from HMO accommodation used to house asylum seekers would risk incentivising lower quality housing

Letter to Prime Minister ahead of the laying of draft regulations also said there was no evidence that the HMO licensing system created a barrier to housing asylum seekers

DLUHC moves amendments to Renters Reform Bill to overturn Supreme Court’s Rent Repayment Order ruling in Rakusen v Jepson

Landmark Chambers highlights that amendments will enable RROs to be made against a superior landlord and against more than one landlord

Extending increase in the maximum amount of the ‘right to rent’ civil penalty so that it applies across the UK statute book

New statutory instrument

Homelessness assistance and allocation of housing in Wales for those fleeing situation in Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Lebanon

New statutory instrument

Government tables amendments to Renters (Reform) Bill to make it illegal for landlords to have blanket ban on renting to people on benefits or with children

Secretary of State says new measures will end discrimination against vulnerable people and families who are being unfairly denied access to a home