Housing

Government rushes in changes to Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme to avoid triggering a ‘misplaced surge in applications’

Period of permission granted to new applicants reduced from 36 months to 18 months, and changes introduced to sponsor eligibility criteria, with immediate effect

Government announces introduction of short-term lets register in England

Councils will also be given greater power to control short-term lets by making them subject to the planning process

Scottish civil society organisations call for introduction of national rent cap and rent controls to protect renters following expiry of temporary provisions on 31 March 2024

Letter to Scotland's First Minister warns that, without further support, there will be 'disastrous consequences' including increasing evictions, homelessness, and an overall rise in poverty

Scottish Housing Regulator publishes new Regulatory Framework and Statutory Guidance for social landlords

New regime that comes into effect from 1 April 2024 includes greater emphasis on landlords listening to tenants and service users, and clearer guidance on when a landlord is non-compliant

Local Government Association calls for Right to Buy tenancy requirement to be extended from three to 15 years

New position paper on scheme outlines major reforms needed to address significant housing shortage which has 'pushed council budgets to the brink'

More than 30,000 section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction claims were started in England and Wales in 2023

Shelter highlights that new MoJ statistics also show that almost 10,000 households were evicted from their homes last year by bailiffs

Housing Ombudsman and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman launch aligned complaint handling codes

Government confirms that a further £120 million is to be allocated to councils across the UK to help prevent homelessness of those on the Homes for Ukraine and other support schemes

Immigration Minister also says that while the first visas issued to those fleeing Russia's invasion will start to expire in March 2025, the government will provide 12 months' notice of any extension arrangements

Government launches consultation on competence and conduct standards for social housing staff

Drawn up in response to evidence heard at the Grenfell inquiry, Minister says new standards will ensure staff are properly trained and qualified to deliver homes that are safe, warm and decent

DLUHC sets ‘bespoke’ council tax referendum principle for Thurrock, Slough and Woking councils to allow increases of up to 10 per cent in 2024/2025

While also 'not opposing' a request by Birmingham City Council for flexibility to increase council tax bills by an additional 5 per cent, Secretary of State says it is 'disappointing' that the city's taxpayers are having to foot the bill for its 'poor governance and decision making'

Select Committee calls for next government to reform council tax to help tackle ‘systemic underfunding’ of local councils in England

MPs says that failure to fix the £4 billion hole in council funding arrangements for 2024/2025 will mean that council services will be at severe risk and further councils in England will face effective bankruptcy

Round-up of recent decisions of the Housing Ombudsman

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

Government issues guidance on discharging patients at risk of or experiencing homelessness

Aimed at staff in England’s health, housing and social care system, guidance includes best practice and example pathways for effective management of transfers of care

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