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16 October, 2013

‘What you need to know about the new social housing fraud act’

Paul Hayes, head of housing litigation at city law firm Lewis Silkin, explains key provisions and looks at 'unanswered questions' in article for the Guardian.

16 October, 2013

Homeless households in temporary accommodation in England

New House of Commons Library briefing provides a background to the increase in numbers in temporary accommodation and outlines various initiatives to reduce those numbers.

16 October, 2013

45 per cent of renters in South West living in bad housing, says Shelter

New study revels that conditions in homes for people privately renting in the south west are too often damp, cold, dangerous or in a bad state of repair as Shelter calls on local councils to deal with rogue landlords in their area.

16 October, 2013

Office of Fair Trading consults on draft guidance for lettings professionals

Draft guidance sets out the OFT's views about how legislation might apply at each step of the lettings process from when lettings professionals first advertise their services, to the interactions they have with tenants prior to moving into a property, through to when a tenancy agreement comes to an end.

16 October, 2013

‘Councils’ use of bed and breakfast accommodation failing young people and families’

New Local Government Ombudsman report highlights the impact of councils' inappropriate use of bed and breakfast accommodation and calls on central government, local government and policy makers to drive up standards.

16 October, 2013

Housing Law Update

Issue 328 of Garden Court Chambers' Housing Law Bulletin is now available.

15 October, 2013

Impact assessment for the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013

New Department for Communities and Local Government publication examines the effect of the Act.

15 October, 2013

The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 (Commencement) (England) Order 2013

New statutory instrument brings the Act into force on 15 October 2013 - the provisions of the Act include new criminal offences of unauthorised sub-letting of social housing.

14 October, 2013

One in thirty five owner occupied properties at risk of repossesion, says Shelter

Guardian reports on new analysis by housing charity showing increase in possession proceedings as a result of unemployment and high cost of living.

14 October, 2013

Consultation on strengthening statutory guidance on social housing allocations

DCLG proposals include that the new guidance should 'strongly encourage' all local authorities to adopt a two-year residency test as part of their qualification criteria, and that other qualification criteria should also be adopted, alongside a residency test, so that those able to demonstrate a strong association to the local area are not disadvantaged.

10 October, 2013

Government publishes Immigration Bill

Provisions, designed to tighten restrictions on those entering the UK, include requirement that landlords inquire about immigration status of prospective tenants.

10 October, 2013

Right to Buy sales for 2012-2013 up by 72 per cent on year before

New DCLG figures also show that, of the 16,659 sales, 6,739 were by local authorities (more than double the 2011-2012 figure) and 9,920 were by private registered providers (an increase of 51 per cent compared to 2011-2012).

9 October, 2013

Welsh Government presents Draft Budget for 2014/2015

Measures include allocation of £50m to establish new Intermediate Care Fund (designed to allow care recipients to remain in their own homes), continuation of universal benefits like free prescriptions and free school breakfasts and £12.5m to fund job opportunities for young people.

8 October, 2013

Help to Buy mortgage guarantee launches today

Government announces that leading banks, including Natwest, RBS, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, will offer a range of Help to Buy mortgages – up to 95 per cent of the property’s value for homes worth up to £600,000 - from this week.

7 October, 2013

Government consults on capping private leaseholders’ excessive ‘repair’ bills

Proposals would ensure that any council using future government funding to improve homes will be limited to charging leaseholders a maximum £10,000 outside London, and £15,000 in the capital over a 5 year period.

1 October, 2013

New proposals to encourage ‘family-friendly tenancies’ in the private rented sector

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announces a package of measures so tenants will be able to request longer tenancies, avoid hidden fees when renting a home and demand a fair deal from their landlords and letting agents.

30 September, 2013

Housing Law Update

Issue 327 of Garden Court Chambers' Housing Law Bulletin is now available.

30 September, 2013

New Help to Buy scheme for armed forces to start on 1 April 2014

Ministry of Defence announces that service personnel will be able to borrow up to £25,000, interest-free, towards a deposit on their first home.

30 September, 2013

Help to Buy mortgage guarantee scheme to launch next week

Government announces early start for scheme that was due to commence in January 2014.