This has been quite a week for issues about Local Authorities gatekeeping homeless applications coming to the fore. This post addresses practices and policies of three councils. Eastbourne BC, LB Haringey and Bournemouth BC. Eastbourne BC Eastbourne's...
Validity of section 21 notices – a flow chart
IMPORTANT - NOT YET UPDATED FOR 1 OCTOBER 2018 CHANGES. [Update 3 pm 03/06/2016 - improved flow chart with added HMO licensing section now at link below. Update 05/12/2016 - tidier version will small error correction. Update 07/03/2017 - correcting an error...
And the first shall be last
An accidental chain of tenancies, in which only the very first was left standing. London Borough of Haringey v 1) Hansa Ahmed & 2) Shaheeda Ahmed [2016] EWHC 1257 (Ch) (Not on Bailii yet, we've seen the judgment). Three tenancy agreements for the same...
Money down the drain
Court v Van Dijk & Anor [2016] EWCA Civ 483 Nuisance cases are tricky. There is a lot to establish for causation, for liability and for loss. This case is perhaps a cautionary tale about the need to be constantly alert to changes in the facts and expert...
Downloads and conflicts
A couple of notes from the weekend. I've updated the downloadable PDF files for homelessness and possession posts to include 2014 to now. I've also added all disrepair posts from 2006 to now as a new file (it is a hefty 214 page PDF, but fully searchable)....
PCOL and Introductory Tenancies
An interesting county court appeal of a possession order - can PCOL be used for a possession claim for an Introductory Tenancy? Crosby v Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Civil Justice Centre, 8 March 2016 Ms C was an Introductory tenant of Birmingham. She...
Curiosities and wonders
When the First Respondent in a possession case is styled "The Sovereign Indigenous Peoples of Scotland" and the second, named, Respondent describes himself as "A Member of the Government of Scotland", you suspect that you know in advance how things will go....
Homelessness eligibility – revisions underway
The following note appeared on the Doughty Street Chambers site. Anyone with clients (or applicants) in a similar position - in particular leave to remain granted under Appendix FM of the immigration Rules - should take note. The DCLG has indicated that...
Questions and Answers
O, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Lambeth [2016] EWHC 937 (Admin) A judicial review of a decision on a s.17 Children Act 1989 assessment of a homeless, non-eligible family. The issues were the extent of investigations required, and legitimate...
Tis aw a muddle – costs edition
Morales v Enver (2016) QBD (Irwin J) 28/04/2016 (Not on Bailli - note of judgment on Lawtel) Another case to file under 'things not to do'. Mr M had brought injunction for re-entry proceedings against a landlord and agents. Mr M was the tenant of a...
The mystery of the Minister’s many bits
There might be much to mock and/or weep at in the Housing and Planning Bill, but this afternoon reached a degree of the surreal, as the Bill returned to the House of Lords following the Govt vote in the Commons to reject all the Lords amendments. Shelter...
Not thinking things through – miscellany
Assorted bits on the theme of acting hastily and not thinking things through... Exhibit 1. The Housing and Planning Bill. This evening, it completed third reading in the House of Lords and heads back to the Commons. While there will no doubt be some ping...