Housing

NHF says housing association tenants should be reassured they will not be evicted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

Chief Executive also urges government to do more to strengthen the welfare system, to ensure that everyone who needs it can quickly get help if their income drops

Communities Secretary announces £3.2 million emergency funding to help rough sleepers to self-isolate

Funding will reimburse councils for the cost of providing accommodation and services to those that need to self-isolate during the COVID-19 outbreak

Welsh Government accepts Homelessness Action Group recommendations on steps it needs to take to end homelessness

Two thirds of those presenting as homeless in Northern Ireland granted Full Duty Applicant status and accepted as statutorily homeless

Main reasons for being accepted as homeless are that accommodation is not reasonable, breakdown of sharing or family arrangements, or loss of rented accommodation

Government announces new funding to tackle rough sleeping, and to remove unsafe cladding from residential buildings

Budget 2020 also confirms additional exemptions from the shared accommodation rate to protect benefit claimants at risk of homelessness

Freeholders and developers of leasehold properties that refuse to reduce ‘onerous and escalating’ ground rents should be forced to do so

Committee Chair calls for new power to be introduced under the Renters’ Reform Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech

New ‘Housing Dispute Service’ proposed by all-party law reform and human rights organisation

However, JUSTICE acknowledges that the idea is controversial, was not accepted by all its members, and was opposed by the tenant lawyers it consulted

Northern Ireland Executive confirms that tenants should not be charged for services that a letting agent carries out on behalf of a landlord

Joint Ministerial Statement issued in light of evidence that some letting agents are not complying with law

Almost a fifth of homes in England don’t meet basic decent homes standards

New report finds that most common reasons for poor quality housing are risks to health or safety from cold or fall hazards

Competition and Markets Authority says it has found ‘worrying evidence’ of people who buy leasehold properties being misled and taken advantage of

As a result, CMA announces it will shortly be taking its own enforcement action directly in the sector

Prescribed limits for default payments under the Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019

New statutory instrument

Annual ‘snapshot’ count of rough sleepers in England shows 9 per cent fall on numbers in previous year

However, rough sleeper numbers are still more than 140 per cent higher than in 2010

Prime Minister announces independent review to provide advice on action needed ‘to end rough sleeping within this Parliament’

New funding of £236 million also announced that will go towards offering Housing First style ‘move on’ accommodation to rough sleepers

Enabling disabled people in Scotland to make adaptations to common areas of their premises without the consent of all owners

New statutory instrument

Almost all adult social care authorities plan to raise council tax by maximum amount permitted

Funding deficit means that council leaders 'simply do not have a choice', says Chair of County Councils Network

Folkestone council heavily criticised for delaying helping a young family threatened with homelessness

Ombudsman reports that he had to threaten the council with a court summons after it questioned his authority to investigate

Government announces that households affected by recent flooding will be eligible for 100 per cent council tax relief ‘for at least three months’

Package of measures for households in England affected by Storms Ciara and Dennis also includes hardship payments of up to £500