Various bits and pieces on subletting and homelessness.

(Edited 15 September 2016

This post originally went into detail about an article on Property 118 setting out a Rent to Rent arrangement where the rent to rent tenant would have an assured shorthold tenancy with a ‘deed of assurance’ . The article author has acknowledged that it was a mistake to suggest that this was possible and has amended the post.  As the rest of the post served no useful purpose once that mistake was corrected, I have removed it and the related comments. )

On more serious  matters, the Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee has followed up its report on homelessness with a (highly unusual) enquiry into the draft private members ‘Homelessness Reduction’ Bill – the private members bill is brought by Bob Blackman MP, who is on the select committee, and the committee has taken the unusual step of endorsing the Bill.

The draft Bill, due for second reading in October, is here. The committee has heard one evidence session on the Bill and is due to have another on 14 September, at which I’m one of those giving evidence. Broadly, the Bill adopts an amended version of the Welsh model of a prevention and relief duty, with an extended 56 day ‘threatened with homelessness’ period. The whole is well worth reading, though is obviously subject to revisions at this stage.

My written evidence on the Bill on behalf of HLPA is here, though I would also add I am also concerned about the handling of suitability and locality. Other written evidence to the committee is here.