HS2: Resident loses high court challenge after complaining it could cause homes to collapse – Daily Telegraph

Posted June 5th, 2020 in health & safety, housing, judicial review, news, planning, railways by sally

‘The HS2 tunnels can go ahead, the high court has ruled, after a resident complained the tunnels could cause homes to collapse.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 5th June 2020

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UK housing prices and planning policy post corona virus pandemic – 33 Bedford Row

Posted June 5th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, housing, news, planning by sally

‘Over half the UK’s wealth is in property. That is more than £7 trillion in just England and Wales, of which around £1-1.5 trillion is secured by lending. The provision of sufficient housing of the right type, in the right places and at affordable prices is a perennial problem. A crisis existed before the Corona-19 virus appeared. The Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick, described this as an “acute housing need in this country” As we continue to work through lockdown, we must contemplate life afterwards. No-one has a crystal ball. However, mature thinking and past experience might illuminate possible pathways.’

Full Story

33 Bedford Row, 18th May 2020

Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk

High Court judge hands down ruling on secure flexible tenancies and possession during fixed term – Local Government Lawyer

A landlord cannot determine a flexible tenancy prior to the expiry of its fixed term without a forfeiture clause even in the event of default by the tenant, the High Court has ruled.

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 4th June 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Thousands of UK tenants face losing home when eviction ban ends – The Guardian

Posted June 5th, 2020 in coronavirus, debts, housing, landlord & tenant, news, rent, repossession by sally

‘Thousands of tenants who have struggled to pay rent during the pandemic lockdown face the prospect of losing their home from the end of the month when the government’s temporary ban on evictions ends, housing campaigners have warned.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 4th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Planning and re-starting the housing market – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

Posted June 4th, 2020 in construction industry, coronavirus, housing, news, planning by sally

‘Simon Randle, Vivienne Sedgley and Katharine Elliot analyse government measures to restart the housing market and how they impact on the planning system.’

Full Story

4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 29th May 2020

Source: www.4-5.co.uk

“The Law of Humanity”: Home Office no recourse to public funds policy ruled unlawful – UK Human Rights Blog

‘In this judgment on the Home Secretary’s “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) policy, the Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division has confirmed that it does, citing authority going back to the time of the poor laws.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 3rd June 2020

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Delays and duties and human rights – Nearly Legal

‘Mr I, his wife and child had been given the tenancy of a two bedroom flat on the eight floor of a block of flats in discharge of the council’s homeless duty to them in September 2017. In November 2017 Mr I was suddenly paralysed from the waist down. He could not leave his bedroom and a wheelchair could not be used in the flat. The council carried out Care Act 2014 assessments, which acknowledged that he had a clear need to move to a suitable property, ground floor with 3 bedrooms and in which a wheelchair could be used.’

Full Story

Nearly Legal, 3rd June 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Shine on you crazy Dymond* – Nearly Legal

Posted June 3rd, 2020 in fixed-term contracts, housing, landlord & tenant, news, repossession by sally

‘This was a determination of a possession claim brought by Croydon LBC against Ms Kalonga, who had a five year term flexible tenancy. This was a trial of a preliminary issue, transferred to the High Court, of “the correct manner in which to determine a secure flexible tenancy during the fixed term (including whether, and if so how, any principles relating to forfeiture apply)”. The claim ws brought during the fixed term.’

Full Story

Nearly Legal, 2nd June 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Covid-19 Update: CPR PD51Z Applies to Appeals – Becket Chambers

‘This article seeks to provide a further update from my colleague Paul Tapsell’s article on residential possession and lease forfeiture proceedings during Covid-19.’

Full Story

Becket Chambers, 1st June 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Residential Service Charge – Time for Reform? – Becket Chambers

‘On Halloween in 2003, the Service Charge (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 (the “Regulations”) came into force, amending section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (“LTA 1985”). This amendment set a financial limit to works carried out on a residential building, beyond which a landlord would have to consult with tenants. That threshold is £250 per tenant. The nature of the consultation is prescribed by section 20 LTA 1985.’

Full Story

Becket Chambers, 27th May 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Housing in Lockdown: Avoid the pause button – St Ives Chambers

‘A review of the number ways Covid-19 can effect the progression and outcome of housing cases and how practitioners can continue to engage in effective case management during this challenging period.’

Full Story

St Ives Chambers, 19th May 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

London borough wins High Court battle with tenant on banding and overcrowding – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 28th, 2020 in families, housing, judicial review, local government, news by sally

‘The London Borough of Southwark was entitled to conclude a family was not in the highest category of overcrowding because it had voluntarily moved into accommodation that would become statutorily overcrowded as its children grew older.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 28th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Housing lawyers group hits out at plans for resumed possession hearings in London – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Housing Law Practitioners Association (HLPA) has condemned proposals for resumed possession hearings in London courts as “unconscionable” and “naïve”.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 28th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Court of Appeal says coronavirus stay also covers appeals against possession orders – Local Government Lawyer

‘The suspension of possession proceedings due to the COVID-19 outbreak applies to appeals as well as new cases, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 28th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

When 52 is also 51 because 55. – Nearly Legal

‘An appeal to the Court of Appeal on the issue of whether appeals of possession orders (or indeed appeals from Part 55 possession proceedings generally) are caught by the Practice Direction 51Z stay of part 55 possession claims.’

Full Story

Nearly Legal, 27th May 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Conveyancers lobby for furloughing flexibility – Legal Futures

Posted May 28th, 2020 in conveyancing, coronavirus, emergency powers, employment, housing, news by sally

‘Conveyancers and other property stakeholders have called on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to allow them to move staff in and out of furlough on a weekly basis as the home-moving market recovers.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 26th May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Jaden Moodie: ‘Chances missed’ to protect boy groomed by dealers – BBC News

‘A boy who was “butchered” in a drugs turf war after being groomed by drug dealers had been arrested in a crack den months earlier but police did not contact child exploitation staff, a report has found.’

Full Story

BBC News, 26th May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Children getting older as ‘unnatural increase’ for overcrowding – Nearly Legal

Posted May 22nd, 2020 in children, families, housing, judicial review, local government, news by sally

‘This was a judicial review of Southwark’s allocation decision on the priority to be given to a family in accommodation which had become statutorily overcrowded.’

Full Story

Nearly Legal, 21st May 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Planning and Re-starting the Housing Market – 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

Posted May 21st, 2020 in construction industry, coronavirus, housing, news, planning by sally

‘Late on 12 May 2020, the Housing Secretary published a plan to re-start the housing market: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/housing-secretary-sets-out-plan-to-restart-housing-market. The measures are intended to support the economy and make progress in an industry where much been paused during the lockdown.’

Full Story

4-5 Gray's Inn Square, 13th May 2020

Source: www.4-5.co.uk

Grenfell Tower Inquiry on hold until July at earliest amid coronavirus pandemic – BBC News

Posted May 20th, 2020 in accidents, coronavirus, delay, fire, housing, inquiries, news by sally

‘The Grenfell Tower Inquiry will not resume until July at the earliest, organisers have said.’

Full Story

BBC News, 19th May 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk