Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2020] EWHC 1353 (QB) Tipples J – Landmark Chambers

‘A flexible tenancy is a species of secure tenancy which is granted for a fixed term of at least two years (s.107A-D, Housing Act 1985). At the end of the fixed term, the landlord has a mandatory ground for possession (s.107D). During the fixed term, commentators have differed on how the landlord can terminate the tenancy. In Flexible Tenancies and Forfeiture, [2014] Journal of Housing Law 17 (Andrew Dymond), it was suggested that the tenancy needed to include a forfeiture clause and the fixed term needed to be terminated by way of forfeiture (see s.82(3), 1985 Act). By contrast, in In a Fix New Law Journal, 29 June 2012 (Jon Holbrook), it was suggested that a flexible tenancy could be determined in the same manner as a periodic secure tenancy, i.e. by the landlord obtaining and executing an order for possession.’

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Landmark Chambers, 2nd June 2020

Source: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk

Suspension of evictions extended by 2 months – St Ives Chambers

‘Despite the government’s general stance on relaxation of lockdown and the recommendations of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, the ban on taking active steps in possession claims or seeking to enforce possession orders has been extended until 23 August. This was following advice from the Lord Chancellor and the Civil Procedure Rules Committee.’

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St Ives Chambers, June 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Master of Rolls sets up working group as concerns expressed about end to stay on housing possession claims – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Master of the Rolls, Sir Terence Etherton, has established a cross-sector working group to address concerns about the consequences of the current stay on housing possession claims ending.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Tenant eviction ban in England and Wales extended by two months – The Guardian

‘The government has extended its ban on evictions in England and Wales by a further two months, prolonging the breathing space for thousands of tenants who have struggled to pay the rent during lockdown.’

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The Guardian, 6th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Your Appeal Fails: London Borough of Hackney v Okoro [2020] EWCA Civ 681 – Falcon Chambers

‘Is an appeal from a possession order (or other order) made in a possession claim commenced under Part 55 of the CPR caught by the stay on “all proceedings brought under CPR Part 55” imposed by paragraph 2 of Practice Direction 51Z (as amended on 20 April 2020)?’

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Falcon Chambers, 28th May 2020

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

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.

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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.’

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The Guardian, 4th June 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

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.’

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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.’

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Becket Chambers, 1st June 2020

Source: becket-chambers.co.uk

Can the Covid 19 stay of possession proceedings be lifted? – Arkin v Marshall [2020] EWCA Civ 620 – Park Square Barristers

Posted May 29th, 2020 in coronavirus, news, repossession, stay of proceedings by sally

‘The Court of Appeal have released the judgment in the case of Arkin v Marshall which raised the issue as to whether or not the Covid 19 stay could be lifted.’

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Park Square Barristers, 13th May 2020

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.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.’

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St Ives Chambers, 19th May 2020

Source: www.stiveschambers.co.uk

Promontoria (Oak) Limited v Emanuel [2020] EWHC 563 (Ch) – Tanfield Chambers

Posted May 29th, 2020 in assignment, debts, land registration, mortgages, news, repossession by sally

‘In a possession and money claim brought by the registered assignee of a legal charge, the Appeal Judge found that the Claimant was entitled to possession as the registered title holder of a legal charge, despite his allowing the Defendant’s appeal and holding that the Claimant had not proved that a valid assignment of the debt had occurred at trial.’

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Tanfield Chambers, 28th May 2020

Source: www.tanfieldchambers.co.uk

Vos: Covid-19 stay on possession cases includes appeals – Litigation Futures

Posted May 29th, 2020 in appeals, coronavirus, news, repossession, stay of proceedings by sally

‘The automatic stay on possession proceedings during the coronavirus crisis applies to appeals that were underway when the stay took effect, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

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Litigation Futures, 28th May 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

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”.’

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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.’

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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.’

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Nearly Legal, 27th May 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Migrants Falling Through Cracks In Covid-19 Homelessness Support, Lawyers Warn – Each Other

‘Undocumented migrants are being forced to sleep rough during the coronavirus pandemic amid an increase in illegal evictions and a lack of government guidance, lawyers have warned.’

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Each Other, 13th May 2020

Source: eachother.org.uk

Court of Appeal rejects challenge over lawfulness of PD51Z staying possession proceedings: report – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Court of Appeal has upheld the lawfulness of Practice Direction 51Z, the Housing Law Practitioners Association (HLPA) has reported.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th May 2020

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Not Arkin any more – Nearly Legal

‘This is the Court of Appeal judgment in the appellant’s challenge to the lawfulness, extent and effect of the stay of Part 55 possession proceedings until 25 June 2020 under Practice Direction 51Z.’

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Nearly Legal, 11th May 2020

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Court of Appeal rejects challenge to Covid-19 stay – Litigation Futures

‘The Court of Appeal has rejected a challenge to the emergency practice direction issued by the Master of the Rolls to stay all possession proceedings for three months in response to Covid-19.’

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Litigation Futures, 11th May 2020

Source: www.litigationfutures.com