Housing

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

Extension of temporary easement of suitability obligations on England’s local authorities to open up greater supply of temporary accommodation for people fleeing Ukraine and Afghanistan crises

New statutory instrument also amends definition of B&B to include accommodation where no cooking facilities are provided as well as accommodation where there are shared facilities

Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee draws draft regulations exempting Home Office accommodation for asylum seekers from requirement to have HMO licence to special attention of the House

Lords Committee advises that the House may wish to seek assurance that the proposed policy will not lead to 'poor-quality, unsafe or inappropriate housing' being used for asylum seekers

Ombudsman highlights council’s ‘catalogue of clerical confusion’ and billing errors that led to resident being unfairly threatened with court action for not paying her council tax

London Borough of Barnet also criticised for ignoring resident’s request to communicate by post, in line with its 'inflexible' policy of emailing everyone regardless of their circumstances

Mobile Homes (Pitch Fees) Bill receives Royal Assent

New Act changes the inflationary index for annual pitch fee reviews in England from RPI to CPI

Welsh Government commissions Valuation Office Agency to undertake revaluation work as part of its plans for the reform of council tax

Minister's progress update to Senedd also confirms that transitional arrangements will be considered in relation to any 'winners and losers' under the new system

Round-up of recent decisions from the Housing Ombudsman

Scottish Government updates Temporary Accommodation Standards Framework

Guidance includes advice for social landlords on expected standards when housing homeless households and advice for local authorities on complying with the Unsuitable Accommodation Order

Scottish Housing Regulator publishes new strategy and work plans for 2023/2024

Pending a review of its Regulatory Framework next year, SHR says its priorities include people experiencing homelessness, quality of accommodation on Gypsy/Traveller sites, and ensuring the standards and outcomes in the Social Housing Charter are met

More than 1,300 people in the UK died while homeless in 2022

New research also reveals examples of significantly higher numbers of deaths in exempt accommodation than in the rest of the homeless population

One in six children in England are being forced to live in cramped, overcrowded accommodation because of a lack of suitable and affordable homes

Findings from National Housing Federation research also demonstrate ‘grave structural inequalities in our society’, with households from ethnic minority backgrounds three times more likely to be affected by overcrowding than white households

Scottish Government and COSLA launch consultation on increasing council tax charges on second and empty homes

Proposals include new powers for councils to charge up to double the full rate of council tax on second homes from April 2024

Council found at fault for three-year delay in moving family with a disabled child from unsuitable housing that could not accommodate essential mobility and safety equipment

Following Ombudsman investigation, Lambeth Council agrees to pay £20,000 compensation to the family for the avoidable risk of harm caused by the delay

Government consults on developing further regulation of the short-term holiday let market in England

Views sought on proposals for a new registration scheme for short term lets, and new restrictions under the planning regime