Housing

Number of Ukrainian households found to be owed statutory homelessness duty in England continues to rise

New statistics show that number of households owed duty rose to 7,300 in July 2023, an increase of more than a thousand compared to the previous month

Home Office writes to Afghan households given Notice to Quit bridging accommodation to confirm support arrangements for seeking settled accommodation

Advice to Afghan families includes that they will receive only one allocation of an appropriate settled home

Two-thirds of local authority senior housing managers are insufficiently qualified to meet new government requirements

LGA warns that complying with changes being introduced under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 is likely to cost councils £17.9 million in the first two years

Changes in regulations and rising interest rates may have contributed to uncertainty for landlords and an increased number of possession actions, says MoJ

As new statistics highlight a 24 per cent increase in possession claims, government suggests that landlords have been selling their properties and exiting the rental market

Welsh Government confirms that it will not amend homelessness legislation that provides for time limits on how long people can be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation

Following consultation, Minister says that change would not appropriate or justifiable in light of the impact on the lives of people affected

Joint Ombudsman investigation finds that council and its ALMO failed a vulnerable resident when she made a complaint about anti-social behaviour

Council order to apologise to tenant, pay £550 compensation, and put in place an action plan for dealing with alleged perpetrators of anti-social behaviour in the future

Round-up of recent decisions from the Housing Ombudsman

Respite Rooms programme for victims of violence and abuse was highly effective in providing accommodation and support to a small group of very vulnerable people

However, DLUHC programme evaluation of pilot initiative highlights that a lack of suitable move-on provision created a major challenge

Failure by housing association to address core issues and cultural failures led to a prolonged period of decline in services, finds Housing Ombudsman

Following special investigation, L&Q ordered to pay more than £140,000 in compensation and action almost 500 remedies

Senior President of Tribunals issues Practice Statement in relation to powers of the First-tier Tribunal to appoint a manager under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987

Statement provides an indication of the Tribunal’s expectations of a proposed manager when deciding whether to make an order under the Act

Number of homeless households in temporary accommodation in England reaches record high of almost 105,000

New government figures also show a record high of more than 80,000 households assessed as owed a homelessness prevention or relief duty between January and March 2023

Levelling Up Committee launches inquiry on housing for people with disabilities in England

In addition to examining the role that new housing can play, MPs will look at matters including what the government can do to support disabled tenants in the private rented sector and the adequacy of the Disabled Facilities Grant system

Legal Aid Agency confirms service providers that are to deliver Housing Loss Prevention Advice Services from August 2023

Agency also issues guidance to providers in relation to running the Early Legal Advice and In Court Duty services

Welsh Government seeks views on proposal to exclude bed and breakfast accommodation used for homelessness purposes from being subject to an occupation contract

Consultation highlights that failure to make change could lead to bed and breakfast providers being reluctant to provide temporary accommodation

Royal Assent for Social Housing (Regulation) Bill will help drive up standards and give residents a proper voice, says Secretary of State

New legislation will help ensure that tenants get the safe, warm and decent homes they deserve, and that those who have seriously neglected their responsibilities for far too long will face the consequences

DLUHC says findings from new study reinforce its goal to ensure reform of leasehold system is backed by measures that raise awareness of available alternatives and support their uptake

Department says it will address shortcomings identified in the research that include that leaseholders have limited or no awareness of their right to manage or of options for converting leases to commonhold

Government sets out changes it is making to improve the supply, quality and regulation of social housing

DLUHC highlights that Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, which is due to receive Royal Assent today, gives new powers to both the Social Housing Regulator and Housing Ombudsman