Monthly Archive for April, 2011

Googlemancy

By NL on 29/04/2011. 0 Comments

Book coverThis afternoon, after having agreed several times that the newly en-Duchessed Catherine’s dress did indeed resemble a fusion of those of Grace Kelly and Princess Margaret but that it was unclear what this portended, apart from the wisdom of staying away from gin and mountain roads, I was leafing through Charles Mackay’s wonderful 1852 edition of ‘Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds‘. It seemed timely.

I was in search of the list of methods of divination, of which my favourites are Kapnomancy – by smoke, and Oinomancy – by the lees of wine, but it struck me that we should add a 21st century … Read the full post

Posted in Various (non-housing).

Pots and kettles

By Dave on 28/04/2011. 0 Comments

I’ve been reading Morag McDermont’s recent book on the history of the housing association sector and the National Housing Federation, Governing, Independence and Expertise: The Business of Housing Associations.  It’s a cracking read and much recommended.  It tells the story of the rise of associations, and their development into the business-focused bureaucracies we know and love today.  It was as I read this that J flicked over an article about L&Q’s proposed re-development of the Walthamstow dog track.   This involves a spat between L&Q and Iain Duncan-Smith – as NL observed in correspondence, it’s* difficult to know which of those two you’d like to see come out … Read the full post

Posted in FLW article, Housing law - All and Regulation and planning.

Its Cold In There

By David Smith on 27/04/2011. 1 Comment

Bristol City Council v Aldfrod Two LLP [2011] UKUT 130 (LC)

The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has recently ruled on the proper use of improvement notices under the HHSRS. When I say recent I should actually say a little while ago. You can blame the recent spate of good weather and a short spell of leave for the slightly reduced speed of posting on this.

Anyway, dragging my gaze back from sunny blue skies to the hard grey world of statistics, the situation concerns the use and scoring of the excess cold hazard. In this case Bristol CC had inspected a property which was heated entirely by convector heaters. Most … Read the full post

Posted in Assured Shorthold tenancy, Disrepair, FLW case note, Housing law - All and Regulation and planning. Tags: , .

Permission and costs

By J on 26/04/2011. 0 Comments

Cockett v Moore [2011] EWCA Civ 493 (Casetrack only; noted on the GC Bulletin).

The Court of Appeal has refused permission to appeal in this costs dispute. Mr Moore was the tenant of Ms Cockett in a one bed flat. There appear to have been a series of tenancy agreements and, at times, a romantic relationship. The claim was for possession and alleged arrears of rent. The proceedings were defended (with a counterclaim) on a variety of grounds, including alleged beneficial ownership by Mr Moore.

A possession order was subsequently made (and was never challenged). The rent arrears claim was adjourned for about 6 months. Shortly before the claim came … Read the full post

Posted in FLW case note, Housing law - All and Possession. Tags: .

Eviction without notice or permission

By NL on 26/04/2011. 0 Comments

Pritchard & Ors v Teitelbaum & Ors [2011] EWHC 1063 (Ch)

This case forms part of the aftermath of Fineland Investments Ltd v Janice Vivien Pritchard [2011] EWHC 113 (Ch) (our report here). It appears that Ms Pritchard was not going to take either the possession order granted in that case, or indeed her subsequent eviction, lying down. But she was not going to take the usual route of appeal or timely set aside application either. There may well be more on Ms Pritchard’s cases at a later date, but the significant issue in this hearing concerned the warrants of eviction obtained without application for permission of the … Read the full post

Posted in FLW case note, Housing law - All, Licences and occupiers and Possession. Tags: , .

Cock up, not conspiracy…

By NL on 26/04/2011. 2 Comments

Allen v Southwark LBC [No.2] [2011] EWCA Civ 470

I haven’t been able to find a report on this case, save for a note in the Garden Court Housing Law Bulletin for 26 April 2011. If anyone has a transcript, we’d be very keen to see it.

This looks like the end for Mr Carlos Allen’s claim against LB Southwark for harassment. You may recall that, back in November 2008, Mr Allen won his appeal of Southwark’s strike out application in the Court of Appeal (our report here).

The substance of Mr Allen’s claim was that in repeatedly issuing possession claims against him, each of which was … Read the full post

Posted in FLW case note, Housing law - All, Possession, secure-tenancy and Unlawful eviction and harassment.

A room of one’s own

By NL on 21/04/2011. 14 Comments

Virginia WoolfVirginia Woolf famously remarked that for a woman to write fiction, she required enough means to support herself and a room of her own. For homeless applicants, though, sometimes separated spaces can be the problem.

 

Aliya Sharif v Camden LBC [2011] EWCA Civ 463 (on Lawtel, not on Baili yet)

The issue on this appeal to the Court of Appeal was whether provision of two separate flats on the same floor of a building used as a hostel could be suitable as temporary accommodation for the applicant’s household.

Ms S had applied to Camden as homeless. Her household consisted of her father, who was in poor health and for … Read the full post

Posted in FLW case note, Homeless and Housing law - All. Tags: , .
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