Homes seized from landlord after complaints ignored – BBC News
‘A private landlord who ignored tenants’ complaints has had their properties seized by a local authority.’
BBC News, 28th August 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: repairs
Who knew? Or ought to have known? – Nearly Legal
‘Mann v Martin (2024) EW Misc 23 (CC). Standalone section 4 Defective Premises Act 1972 cases are quite unusual. It is more common as an additional/secondary head in a disrepair claim, but this county court case is such a relatively rare beast.’
Nearly Legal, 26th August 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Disrepair claims in the County Court – Becket Chambers
‘A landlord owes certain duties to maintain the repair of a property that they have leased to a tenant. If a leased property falls into disrepair, the tenant may be able to claim against the landlord for damages. The tenant may also be able to counterclaim for disrepair where the landlord has brought a claim for property possession against the tenant. Where possession is being sought under the grounds of rent arrears, the tenant can assert that the Claimant landowner is not entitled to the full amount of rent owed.’
Becket Chambers, 22nd July 2024
Source: becket-chambers.co.uk
The need for speed in BSA funding decisions – Falcon Chambers
‘Applications were made to the Building Safety Fund (“BSF”) in respect of two high rise developments in Birmingham with cladding defects. In the event that BSF funding was provided, the developers would have been expected to reimburse the BSF funding less any proceeds from insurance claims (pursuant to a pledge referred to in the BSF guidance signed by the developers; many developers, including the appellants, have now signed a deed of bilateral contract to give the pledge commitments contractual force).’
Falcon Chambers, 22nd July 2024
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
Remediation orders under s.123 of the BSA 2022: what might fetter an unfettered discretion? – Falcon Chambers
‘The First-tier Tribunal has now twice rejected an argument that the power of the Tribunal to make a remediation order under s.123 must be exercised where the threshold criteria are met.’
Falcon Chambers, 10th July 2024
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
The meaning of maintenance – Nearly Legal
‘London Borough of Tower Hamlets v Lessees of Brewster House and Malting House (2024) UKUT 193 (LC) (11 July 2024). This was an appeal to the Upper Tribunal on whether a service charge for major works to remedy structural defects to two blocks of flats was payable. It may well have broader significance for charges for building safety works, depending on lease terms.’
Nearly Legal, 15th July 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Triplark Limited v Whale and others [2024] EWHC 1440 (Ch) – Tanfield Chambers
‘Triplark Limited v Whale and others [2024] EWHC 1440 (Ch): a landlord’s works are not within the terms of its repairing covenant where they increase the maintenance burden on the tenant.’
Tanfield Chambers, 25th June 2024
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
Council refunded £1.5m to ‘gagged’ leaseholders – BBC News
‘A London council has been forcing residents into silence as a condition of them receiving money owed to them for building work and services they had been overcharged for – in some cases by tens of thousands of pounds.’
BBC News, 30th June 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Fitness for human habitation claims – what are they worth? – Local Government Lawyer
‘Rhiannon Moody examines a recent case where damages were awarded over a council property that was unfit for human habitation.’
Local Government Lawyer, 28th June 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Easy as 1, 2, 3? Section 123 of the Building Safety Act and supporting Regulations create a power and a discretion to make remediation orders – Falcon Chambers
‘We know and are familiar with the mischiefs the BSA seeks to address. We now know too how the FTT is likely to approach applications for remediation orders under s.123.’
Falcon Chambers, 28th May 2024
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
Remediation orders – is the FTT being consistent? – Tanfield Chambers
‘This article examines whether the FTT’s recent decision in the Vista Tower case (CAM/26UH/HYI/2022/004, available on the FTT’s web-site) demonstrates a discernible pattern of decision-making following its first remediation order. The article will not comment on the terms of the order made in Vista Tower: that will be the subject of a later article. Instead, it will focus on the FTT’s approach to case management and whether its decision to make a remediation order was consistent with the reasoning in previous decisions. Obviously, consistency in approach, both in terms of case management and the final decision, will enable practitioners in this developing area of work to advise clients with greater certainty. In the absence of an appeal decision on remediation orders, consonance in first instance decisions will be welcome.’
Tanfield Chambers, 16th May 2024
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
Risk and Harm: Remediation Orders Through the Lens of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System – Falcon Chambers
‘Prior to the coming into force of the Building Safety Act 2022 (“the BSA 2022”), local authorities already had the ability to take enforcement action in respect of residential premises where there was a hazard in relation to fire by virtue of Part I, Chapter I of the Housing Act 2004 (“the HA 2004”). Now, local authorities are among a class of interested persons who may apply for remediation orders under section 123 of the BSA 2022. What does a comparison of the two remedies say about how the First-Tier Tribunal should exercise their discretion in respect of remediation orders?’
Falcon Chambers, 13th May 2024
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
Redefining the boundaries of reasonable excuse in housing enforcement? – Local Government Lawyer
‘A recent Upper Tribunal decision involving a city council has significant implications for local housing authorities and landlords alike, writes Mikhail Charles.’
Local Government Lawyer, 8th May 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Improvement notices under s.12 Housing Act 2004 – Local Government Lawyer
‘The First Tier Tribunal recently considered the use of Improvement Notices under s.12 of Housing Act 2004 to address concerns regarding the fire safety of residential property containing cladding similar to that present on Grenfell Tower. Archie Maddan analyses its ruling.’
Local Government Lawyer, 8th May 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Housing conditions quantum – another County Court decision – Nearly Legal
‘Engmann v The London Borough of Lambeth (Wandsworth County Court, 17 April 2024). Engmann was Lambeth’s secure tenant since October 2018. Since the start of the tenancy there had been damp and mould due to defects to external brickwork and a failed damp proof course. In December 2022, a leak started at the property, causing the collapse of the living room ceiling a month later. A month after that, the electrics failed and the tenant was without electricity for 6 weeks. The issues continued, with ongoing problems withe the electrics.
The tenant issued a claim for damages and works in February 2023. In March 2023, by consent order, Lambeth agreed to provide the tenant with decant accommodation from early April 2023, and to complete works by May 2023.’
Nearly Legal, 6th May 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
Remediation orders – landlords beware – Tanfield Chambers
‘Spur House is the latest FTT decision on remediation orders. It adds to the tally a fifth case (after the Leigham Court Road, Orchard House, Centrillion Point and Space Apartments). Robert Bowker focuses on just three key features of the case followed by three take-away points.’
Tanfield Chambers, 26th April 2024
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
Di Bari v Avon Ground Rents – Space Apartments, London N22 – a new case on remediation orders – Tanfield Chambers
‘This decision follows on from the Tribunal’s decisions in Waite v Kedai (Leigham Court Road), Culpin v Stockwood(Orchard House) and Mistry v Wallace (Centrillion Point). The decision is an important addition to the growing case law.’
Tanfield Chambers, 5th April 2024
Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk
Acting Beyond Their Purview: Independent Experts in the Dock – an article by Janet Bignell KC – Falcon Chambers
‘Many landlord and tenant cases involve expert evidence and the majority of independent experts act impeccably. However, in a recent case involving a business lease renewal and another involving dilapidations, judges found significant cause to criticise experts for their failure to understand the scope of their duties and role. The consequences were serious for those concerned. A salutary reminder of the critical importance of compliance with CPR Pt 35 for all those instructing and instructed.’
Falcon Chambers, 15th April 2024
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
Thousands trapped in flats with Grenfell-style cladding ‘scammed’ by insurers – The Independent
‘Thousands of residents trapped in homes with Grenfell-style cladding that they cannot sell are being “scammed” by insurers demanding unaffordable premiums despite being told the buildings are safe, The Independent can reveal. Nearly seven years after the tragedy, which took place in west London in June 2017, residents living in cladded homes are seeing their insurance costs surge by up to 1,000 per cent.’
The Independent, 24th March 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Unfitness for human habitation quantum – 100% again – Nearly Legal
‘Mason v 1) Olivera and 2) Santana, Claim no: K2PP0132 (15th December 2023, County Court at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch). We’ve previously seen a county court claim for unfitness for human habitation involve an award of 100% of rent in general damages, on the basis that it was a binary question – either the property was fit for human habitation, or it was not. If not, then it couldn’t be said that the tenant had derived any value from the tenancy. This is a second county court judgment on the issue and the same conclusions appear to be reached.’
Nearly Legal, 24th March 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
