Housing

Round-up of recent Ombudsman decisions and reports

Select Committee says there is ‘little evidence’ that DLUHC is treating disabled people’s needs as a priority in housing policy

MPs set out series of recommendations including to implement standards for accessible and adaptable housing, and to review upper limits of DFGs taking account of inflation and construction costs

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill completes its passage through Parliament

Bill introduced in Autumn 2023 to 'liberate' leaseholders receives Royal Assent

Housing sector joins Shadow Housing Minister in criticism of government’s failure to pass Renters Reform Bill in current parliamentary session

Bill that was first promised in 2019 has not been included in the final business of both House so will fall when Parliament is prorogued ahead of General Election

Government announces change to duration of EUSS pre-settled status extensions and related relaxation of requirements for further right to rent and work checks

Change from two to five years designed to further support implementation of 2022 High Court judgment in case brought by Independent Monitoring Authority

Government launches consultation on proposed new rights for social housing tenants to request information about the management of their homes

Following commitment in the social housing White Paper, access to information scheme aims to enable tenants to hold their landlords to account and drive up the quality of the homes and services they provide

Providing for victims of forced marriage or transnational marriage abandonment to be eligible for housing and homelessness assistance

New statutory instrument

‘National Landlords Register’ needed to help manage and enforce standards in the private rented sector, says Labour-commissioned review

Report recommends creation of a central register to aid in limiting rent rises and better regulating safety and decent homes standards

More than 90,000 households in England have been threatened with no-fault eviction since the ban on section 21 was first promised in April 2019

New analysis of MoJ possession figures also shows an almost 20 per cent increase in people being evicted by bailiffs as a result of a section 21 action in January to March 2024 compared to the same period last year

Declaration of housing emergency by Scottish Parliament prompts call for ‘urgent action’

Shelter Scotland says it’s time for politicians to work together to deliver the social homes people need, and make sure local services have the resources they need to do to their jobs

Welsh Government announces structural reforms to the council tax system will not start until 2028

Written statement on plans that include regular valuation updates and new property bands also confirms that a 'transition fund' will be considered to help those who face higher bills

People sleeping rough still at risk of criminalisation despite concessions, says Crisis

Homelessness charity welcomes removal of 'outlandish' elements of the Criminal Justice Bill but argues that remaining powers are 'unnecessary' and could lead to imprisonment and fines

Government says it is ‘not acceptable’ for social housing providers to increase service charges ‘as a means of boosting rental revenue’

Statement from DLUHC Minister made in response to allegations of widespread service charge abuse and a call for tighter controls and a regulator with a remit to investigate complaints

Ombudsman finds council relied on ‘gatekeeping’ of services to delay provision of interim accommodation until a homeless family’s situation became desperate

Tower Hamlets Council ordered to pay the family more than £1,300 compensation, decide if it now owes the family a main housing duty, and review their priority on the housing register

Government commits to ensuring that the Ombudsman has the skills and knowledge to handle disputes about whether landlords unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to keep a pet

Assurance provided in DLUHC's response to the Animal Sentience Committee’s report on whether the Renters (Reform) Bill has due regard to the welfare of animals as sentient beings

Ending homelessness should sit alongside new First Minister’s ambition to end child poverty in Scotland ‘as a top priority’

Coalition of more than 30 housing and homelessness organisations also calls for appointment of a Cabinet Secretary to tackle the housing emergency

Government’s response to need for greater protection for tenants in unhealthy homes ‘lacks urgency’

Chair of Health and Social Care Committee says 'we are no closer to seeing an update and there’s no timetable for change to happen'