Housing news and case law

18 March, 2021

Ban on enforcement of eviction action in Wales extended to 30 June 2021

In addition, Welsh Government announces that it will be legislating to extend the requirement on landlords to provide a six-month notice period to tenants before making a possession claim

18 March, 2021

Welsh Housing Minister sets out leasehold reform plans that include a permanent restriction of future ground rents to zero ‘at the earliest legislative opportunity’

First step will be to restrict ground rents to zero for leasehold properties in the third phase of Help to Buy-Wales that is due to start in April 2021

18 March, 2021 Open access

Five year period during which local housing authorities in Wales must reassess accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers extended by a year

New statutory instrument extends normal five-year review period on account of the impacts of coronavirus on communities and local housing authority administration

18 March, 2021

Government invites local authorities in England to submit proposals and bids for future years of the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme

Funding is intended to be used to provide 'Move-On' homes and accompanying support services to achieve a sustainable reduction in rough sleeping

17 March, 2021 Open access

150,000 private renters at risk of eviction due to falling behind on rent as a result of Covid-19

Suspension of evictions until end of May 2021 will only serve as a 'stay of execution' for those with unmanageable rent arrears, says StepChange Debt Charity

17 March, 2021 Open access

Notable success of ‘Everyone In’ initiative has exposed gaps in government’s approach to tackling rough sleeping, say MPs

New Public Accounts Committee report also notes that number of people accommodated by scheme is far larger than number identified by autumn 2019 rough sleeping 'snapshot'

16 March, 2021 Open access

One in seven people more worried about becoming homeless due to Covid-19 pandemic

New Shelter survey also finds that private renters worst affected, with one in four fearing homelessness

15 March, 2021

Scottish Government publishes first ever long-term housing strategy incorporating vision for what housing and communities should look like in 2040

Ambitions include that 'everyone should have access to a warm, safe, affordable and energy efficient home that meets their needs'

15 March, 2021

Almost 8,000 households presented as homeless in Northern Ireland in last six months of 2020

New Department for Communities figures also show that six out of ten of these were accepted as statutorily homeless

12 March, 2021 Open access

High Court rules that local authorities have powers to lawfully house people with no recourse to public funds during Covid-19 pandemic

Ncube, R (on the application of) v Brighton and Hove City Council [2021] EWHC 578 (Admin)

10 March, 2021 Open access

Government announces that the eviction ban in England is to be extended until ‘at least’ 31 May 2021

Provisions that extend the minimum notice period for eviction of statutory tenants in the private and social rented sectors in England to also remain in force until the end of May 2021

9 March, 2021

Housing and Homelessness (Local Accommodation Duty) Bill receives first reading in House of Commons

Measures in the Bill include placing a duty on local authorities to ensure that people for whom homeless duty has been accepted are accommodated in local area

8 March, 2021

Home Office introduces new safeguards for rough sleepers before discretionary grounds for refusing or canceling permission to be in the UK are used

New statement of changes to Immigration Rules requires decision-makers to be satisfied that the rough sleeper has ‘repeatedly refused offers of suitable support and has engaged in persistent anti-social behaviour’

8 March, 2021 Open access

Scottish Government extends application window for interest-free loans scheme for tenants who are struggling with rent arrears during Covid-19 crisis

Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will continue to receive applications beyond original 31 March 2021 closing date

5 March, 2021 Open access

Ban on enforcement of eviction orders in Scotland extended to 30 September 2021

New statutory instrument

5 March, 2021

Legal case challenging council’s practice of accommodating homeless female domestic abuse survivors in shared hostels with men succeeds prior to hearing

Judicial review brought by Public Interest Law Centre results in pre-trial settlement, with Camden Council agreeing to compensate claimant and review its emergency accommodation policies and procedures

5 March, 2021

Provision to limit right to obtain the freehold of a shared ownership lease under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 and the Rent Act 1977

New statutory instrument

4 March, 2021

Housing Ombudsman finds ‘severe maladministration’ as a result of excessive delays in Newham Council’s management of repairs case

Resident awarded £800 compensation for Council's failure to have a repairs policy and for the excessive delay in responding to his formal complaint

1 March, 2021 Open access

Economic aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic risks a substantial rise in core homelessness unless government implements range of housing and welfare mitigation interventions

Latest Homelessness Monitor from Crisis examines emerging trends in homelessness in the wake of both coronavirus and Brexit

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