Housing

Round-up of recent decisions from the Housing Ombudsman

Scottish Government proposes a further, and final, six month extension of temporary cost of living protections for tenants in Scotland

Minister advises that, subject to approval of Parliament, regulations laid today will extend the expiry date of the measures until 31 March 2024

Select Committee seeks clarification of government’s intentions and timetable for introducing private rented sector reforms not included in Renters (Reform) Bill

Promised changes include making it illegal to refuse to rent to tenants in receipt of benefits or with children, applying the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, and strengthening councils’ enforcement powers

Around 140 organisations join JCWI and CIH in calling on the government to abandon its plans to remove HMO licensing requirements from asylum accommodation

Joint letter to Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities expresses 'extreme concern' about potential risks in relation to safety, health and well-being, overcrowding and the impact on the housing market

House of Commons votes in favour of motion calling for Housing Secretary to confirm government’s plans for the reform of the leasehold system

While not committing to a timetable, Housing Minister says that 'officials in my Department are working flat out to bring forward further leasehold reform'

Public Accounts Committee launches inquiry into supported housing

Views sought in light of NAO finding that gaps in data and regulation are allowing increasing numbers of landlords to profit from providing sub-standard accommodation

Department for Communities launches consultation on payment options given to private tenants in Northern Ireland when paying rent and other costs

Evidence gathered will help determine whether having no choice but to pay by cash is an issue, and whether Department should introduce regulations requiring landlords to offer a choice of payment method

Amendments to Schedule 12 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

New statutory instrument also makes a consequential amendment to the Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Act 2021

Number of landlords in England and Wales seeking to evict tenants by a section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction is higher now than before the Covid-19 pandemic

Crisis highlights that new government figures also show that the number of people who have been forced from their homes by bailiffs because of a ‘no-fault’ eviction has risen by more than 60 per cent over the last year

Ombudsman launches investigation into Hammersmith and Fulham Council to explore whether shortcomings in its handling of complaints and repair reports indicate wider failures

Decision to carry out systemic investigation follows 12 findings of severe maladministration since April 2022 and 13 ongoing cases assessed as high or medium risk

Consequential amendments to the Rent Act 1977 as a result of the coming into force of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016

New statutory instrument

Government introduces long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill

Measures in Bill include abolition of section 21 'no fault' evictions alongside strengthened possession grounds for private sector landlords

Enabling local authorities in Northern Ireland to provide housing and homelessness assistance to those fleeing Sudan

New statutory rule

Government issues emergency legislation to enable local authorities to provide housing and homelessness assistance to those fleeing Sudan

New statutory instrument

Ombudsman reminds local authorities of their duty to investigate private rented sector disrepair issues

Reminder issued in light of finding that Worcester City Council was at fault in failing to take formal action against landlord after it identified category 1 hazards in tenant's flat

More than 100,000 households were in temporary accommodation in England on 31 December 2022

New DLUHC statistics show that number has increased by more than five per cent compared to December 2021

Gaps in data and regulation are allowing increasing numbers of landlords in England to profit from providing sub-standard supported housing

Better scrutiny of landlords would help raise standards for 'some of the most vulnerable people in our society, who deserve far better', says National Audit Office