Housing news and case law

20 August, 2020

Almost 30 per cent of council tax valuation challenges in England and Wales resulted in a decrease in the band applied during 2019/2020

New statistics from the Valuation Office Agency show that more than 42,000 challenges were resolved during the year

20 August, 2020

Number of households in temporary accommodation was in excess of 90,000 at end of March 2020, up by almost 10 per cent compared to same time last year

MHCLG reports that increase was driven by a 28 per cent rise in single households, potentially as a result of the COVID-19 ‘Everyone in’ scheme

19 August, 2020 Open access

Communities Minister announces that legislation protecting renters in Northern Ireland from eviction is to be extended to 31 March 2021

Emergency legislation extended to prepare for possible coronavirus second wave and in light of economic support being phased out in autumn 2020

17 August, 2020

Call for evidence launched to identify ‘what it will take’ to roll out Housing First to the more than 16,000 people in England who need it

Centre for Social Justice seeks views on issues including barriers to expansion of Housing First and the key steps government should be taking to promote its roll-out

13 August, 2020 Open access

New government statistics confirm unprecedented drop in all types of possession actions in England and Wales following steps taken in response to coronavirus pandemic

However, MoJ cautions that data is 'unlikely to be representative' of general trends in possession actions and advises that judicial-led working group is preparing for expiration of stay on evictions

13 August, 2020 Open access

Scottish Government confirms intention to extend six month notice of eviction requirement to March 2021

First Minister assures Scottish Parliament of commitment 'to do everything that we can' to protect tenants and prevent people from becoming homeless as a result of the pandemic

12 August, 2020 Open access

Homelessness and rough sleeping will soar unless government maintains 2020/2021 level of funding over course of current parliament, says Salvation Army

New report calls for government to extend funding for homelessness support services in Autumn Spending Review

11 August, 2020 Open access

Welsh Government increases funding for its coronavirus homelessness response to £50 million

New funding made available in addition to initial £10 million response that enabled all rough sleepers to be given shelter, and will be used for longer-term support and accommodation

10 August, 2020

High Court considers whether freehold property owner had his ‘main residence’ at the address so that he was liable for council tax ahead of the tenant who was also resident

Broderick v Coventry City Council [2020] EWHC 2083 (Admin)

7 August, 2020

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations announces new £1.5 million Homelessness Prevention Fund

Fund to support housing associations and co-operatives in projects that deliver support to households most a risk of poverty

3 August, 2020

Scottish Government renews call for UK Government to reconsider position on people with no recourse to public funds

Housing Minister says he is ‘appalled’ that the government has refused to lift the restriction for the duration of the coronavirus crisis

3 August, 2020

Scottish Government launches consultation on suspension of local connection referrals between local authorities in Scotland

Views invited on terms of Ministerial statement on the exercise of power to amend local connection rules, and on proposals to suspend referrals

3 August, 2020

Eligibility for housing and homelessness assistance for family members of people of Northern Ireland, and stateless people

New statutory instrument

30 July, 2020 Open access

Shelter calls on government to accelerate social homes building programme in wake of COVID crisis, as stamp duty cut is not a solution for most private renting families

Housing charity also highlights survey results showing that nearly one in five private renting parents have increased fears of homelessness as a result of the pandemic

29 July, 2020

Annual review of Ombudsman complaints highlights increase in investigations of systemic problems in 2019/2020

However, Ombudsman welcomes councils’ readiness ‘on the whole’ to work with it to implement its practical recommendations for improvement

28 July, 2020 Open access

Coalition of housing and homelessness organisations calls on Scottish Government to extend emergency powers against eviction

Open letter to Housing Minister calls for Scottish Government to ensure that vulnerable households cannot be evicted until at least April 2021, and to commission advice on legality of 'no recourse to public funds' requirement

27 July, 2020

Homeless applications in Scotland increase by 18 per cent in just one month

New statistics from the Scottish Housing Regulator also show that total arrears of rent owed by tenants of social landlords increased by around £3.5 million during June 2020

24 July, 2020

Motion tabled in House of Lords in an attempt to block the lifting on the stay on evictions from 23 August 2020

New rules were 'snuck out' without guidance and without Parliamentary scrutiny, says Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson

23 July, 2020 Open access

Welsh Government temporarily increases the notice period that landlords must give assured and assured shorthold tenants to end a tenancy from three months to six months

Use of powers under the Coronavirus Act 2020 will help those renting their homes to benefit from increased security and reduced anxiety, says Welsh Housing Minister

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