The Latest Housing Law News
Free resources on Housing Law: to access multiple webpages of free resources on Housing law, including statutory and other materials, covering Allocation of Housing, Anti-Social Behaviour' Community Care & Housing, Disrepair, Homelessness, Housing Benefit, Housing & Human Rights, Possession and Unlawful Eviction, click here.
Homelessness: the number of applicants accepted as being owed a main homelessness duty in England during January to March 2011 rose 18% compared to the same quarter last year. The number of applicants accepted as owed that duty in the full year 2010/11 was 10% higher than in 2009/2010. For the full statistical report on statutory homelessness issued on 9 June 2011, click here. Many councils will need to adjust their homelessness services to cope with this higher level of demand. In a ministerial written answer given on 9 June 2011, Andrew Stunell MP reminded councils of the need to consult service users when reviewing homelessness services. For the reply printed at Hansard Column 450W, click here.
Affordable rent tenancies: on 9 June 2011 the Government announced publication of the technical revision to Annex B of Planning Policy Statement 3, intended to make clear that Affordable Rent falls within the definition of affordable housing for planning purposes. For a copy, click here. Also published was a summary of the responses that were received to the consultation paper on the revision of Annex B. For a copy, click here. In relation to the Affordable Rent strategy itself, the Government has published an Impact Assessment, available by clicking here. For the separate, Full Equality Impact Assessment for Affordable Rent Policy, click here.
The Latest Housing Case Law
TL v Angus Council and Glasgow City Council[2011] CSOH 98
7 June 2011
The claimant arrived in the UK as a stowaway and claimed asylum. The Border Agency referred him to Angus Council which in January 2011 assessed his age as over 18. The claimant said that he was only 15 and in March 2011 sought judicial review of his assessment. The claim was scheduled for hearing on 24 June 2011. He sought an interim order requiring Glasgow Council to accommodate him until trial on the basis that he was a child. The Court of Session held that the balance of convenience did not favour such an order. There was no special urgency. For the full judgment, click here.
Housing Law Articles
Recent Developments in Housing Law
N. Madge and J. Luba
[2011] June Legal Action p22
For back-copies of articles in this series, click here.
Beware broken promises
(commentary on Jenson v Faux)
E. Wiltshire
[2011] 10 June Inside Housing p32
For a copy of the article, click here.
False start
(commentary on Windsor & District HA v Hewitt)
E. Wiltshire
[2011] 10 June Inside Housing p32
For a copy of the article, click here.
Housing Law Events
June 2011
14 June 2011
New Planning Policy on Traveller Sites: All Change?
A Legal Action Group Training Event in Birmingham
For the details, click here.
20 June 2011
Homelessness & Allocations
A Legal Action Group Training Event in London
For the details, click here.
22 June 2011
Homelessness Reviews & Appeals
An HLPA evening seminar in London
For the details, click here.
23 June 2011
Housing and Anti Social Behaviour 2011
A Jordan Publishing Conference in London
For the details, click here.
29 June 2011
Housing: the Legal Update 2011
A Northern Housing Consortium Conference in York
For the details, click here.
July 2011
14 July 2011
Emergency Homeless Applications: When to get a judge on the phone
A Garden Court Chambers seminar 18:30 to 20:00
For the details, click here.
14 July 2011
Introduction to Housing Law
A Legal Action Group Training Event in London
For the details, click here.
20 July 2011
Bringing Disrepair Claims
An HLPA meeting in London
For the details, click here.
Housing Law Books
Defending Possession Proceedings
The new (seventh) edition of Defending Possession Proceedings by Jan Luba QC, John Gallagher, Derek McConnell and Nic Madge - which runs to over 1000 pages - has been published. Price: £55.00. For full details, click here.
To read an independent review, click here.
To watch an independent review, click here.
To access the free downloadable update to several chapters of the current edition of the book to take account of recent cases such as Pinnock and Powell, click here.
Housing Allocation and Homelessness
The new (second) edition of Housing Allocation and Homelessness: Law and Practice by Jan Luba QC and Liz Davies has been published. Price: £50.00.
For full details, click here.
To read a review by Robert Latham, click here.
To read another independent review, click here.
Repairs: tenants' rights
The new (fourth) edition of Repairs: tenants' rights by Jan Luba QC, Deirdre Forster and Beatrice Prevatt has been published. Price: £45.00. For full details, click here.
To watch an independent review, click here.
To read an independent review, click here.
Housing Law Handbook - 10% off
The Housing Law Handbook, edited by Stephen Cottle and written by other members of the Garden Court Housing Team, covers possession proceedings, homelessness rights, the allocation of social housing, and other routes into housing. To claim your 10% discount, order online and quote promotion code GCTHLH when prompted.
To read an independent review, click here.
