Housing

Public Bill Committee launches call for evidence on Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

With first scrutiny session set for 16 January 2024, Committee asks for evidence to be submitted as soon as possible

Ombudsman launches special investigations into three London landlords after casework shows them struggling with damp and mould, repairs, and complaint handling

Action taken against Camden and Hackney Councils and Hyde Group following them having either high maladministration rates or increasing findings in the identified areas, including several findings of severe maladministration

Scottish Government sets out plan to help Ukrainian people seeking refuge from the war to access longer-term housing

Social Justice Secretary says that next steps will help support people to find safe, settled accommodation for the longer term, providing much-needed stability and helping them set down roots and make the most of local opportunities

More than two-thirds of applicants on Northern Ireland’s social housing waiting list at the end of 2022/2023 were in ‘housing stress’

Annual housing statistics also show that two-thirds of people presenting as homeless in the region were accepted as being owed statutory homelessness duty

First-tier Tribunal’s power to make an order in respect of costs in relation to proceedings brought under specified housing legislation

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

Department of Justice and DfC consult on amending grounds for possession of secure tenancies in Northern Ireland where ASB or criminality has been proven

Amendments to bring in absolute possession grounds along the lines of those in Great Britain under section 84A of the Housing Act 1985 to be brought forward in a new Housing Bill

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, Autumn 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