Housing

Ombudsman launches special investigation into social landlord after six findings of severe maladministration over a three-month period

Excessive delays and poor communication on multiple occasions highlighted by Ombudsman, with residents being ignored or left in the dark about the actions the landlord would be taking

More than one in thirty private rented properties in England have a ‘Category 1’ hazard rating due to damp and mould

New DLUHC analysis of local authority data also shows that as many as one in four properties are affected in some areas

More than 5,000 households were identified as unintentionally homeless and in priority need in Wales in 2022/2023

New statistics from the Welsh Government report that this represents an increase of 25 per cent over the previous year

Government announces new Rough Sleeping Initiative allocations worth £34.6 million

Provided on top of the original £500 million allocation, DLUHC says the new funding will go to areas most in need of support

Round-up of recent decisions from the Housing Ombudsman

Local authorities in Scotland received more than 2,500 applications for short-term lets licences in first six months of new licensing regime

Publishing new statistics, Housing Minister reminds existing hosts who have not yet applied for a license that they have until 1 October 2023 to submit a valid application

Number of homelessness applications in Scotland exceeds pre-pandemic level

Annual figures for 2022/2023 also show highest ever number of households in temporary accommodation, with average stay exceeding 220 days

Competition and Markets Authority to issue revised consumer protection guidance for lettings agents in light of evidence that tenants are struggling to exert their rights

Authority also sets out areas for further investigation and potential enforcement action, including sham licences, excessive guarantee clauses and discrimination against benefit claimants

On any given night, one in a hundred households in England are experiencing ‘core homelessness’

2023 Homelessness Monitor reports that the ability of local authorities to prevent homelessness is being constrained by the freeze to housing benefit, deep cuts to DHPs, and a reduction in the supply of affordable rental properties

Third of private renters could not pay even one month’s rent if they lost their job

Calling for more social homes to be built, Shelter says this is the 'only sustainable, long-term alternative to expensive, unstable private renting'

Number of Ukrainian households found to be owed statutory homelessness duty in England continues to rise

New statistics show that number of households owed duty rose to 7,300 in July 2023, an increase of more than a thousand compared to the previous month

Home Office writes to Afghan households given Notice to Quit bridging accommodation to confirm support arrangements for seeking settled accommodation

Advice to Afghan families includes that they will receive only one allocation of an appropriate settled home

Two-thirds of local authority senior housing managers are insufficiently qualified to meet new government requirements

LGA warns that complying with changes being introduced under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 is likely to cost councils £17.9 million in the first two years

Changes in regulations and rising interest rates may have contributed to uncertainty for landlords and an increased number of possession actions, says MoJ

As new statistics highlight a 24 per cent increase in possession claims, government suggests that landlords have been selling their properties and exiting the rental market

Welsh Government confirms that it will not amend homelessness legislation that provides for time limits on how long people can be placed in bed and breakfast accommodation

Following consultation, Minister says that change would not appropriate or justifiable in light of the impact on the lives of people affected

Government to introduce ‘significantly tougher’ penalties for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties

Civil penalties to increase to up to £60,000 per worker for employers and up to £10,000 per tenant for landlords from early 2024

Joint Ombudsman investigation finds that council and its ALMO failed a vulnerable resident when she made a complaint about anti-social behaviour

Council order to apologise to tenant, pay £550 compensation, and put in place an action plan for dealing with alleged perpetrators of anti-social behaviour in the future