With the introduction of of the new grounds of possession looming - 1 May 2026 - we are very pleased to bring you as a seasonal gift this guest post by Nick Bano, barrister, and Jamie McGowan, pupil, of Garden Court Chambers, helpfully looking at the routes...
Two smallish rants…
It has been one of those days, where a couple of things caused gnashing of teeth at the state of the world, or at least that (smallish) bit of it that involves the practice of housing law. So, I am going to vent. Apologies in advance. Firstly, I am trying to...
Denial of a right to a fair hearing (and a questionable injunction against a tenant under s.9A LTA 1985)
Batt, R (On the Application Of) v The County Court at Central London (2025) EWHC 3071 (Admin) This was quite a remarkable (and successful) judicial review of a decision of HHJ Gerald to refuse permission to appeal on four grounds from an inunction order made...
Gas Safety Certificate and section 21 ping-pong
I have a huge backlog of cases to write up, but for various reasons, currently have neither the time nor the energy to do so (gestures at life generally). So I am very grateful to Georgie Rea of Garden Court Chambers for the following note of a Circuit Judge...
When can a section 21 end?
No, this is nothing to do with 30 April or 31 July 2026... Paragon Asra Housing v Rainford, County Court at Leicester, 25 October 2025 (copy of Judgment here) This was a County Court appeal of a first instance possession order on the basis of a section 21...
Not far away enough? Suitability, location (and notification to other authority)
London Borough of Enfield v A (2025) EWCA Civ 1355 This was a second appeal from a s.204 Housing Act 1996 appeal of the suitability of temporary accommodation. The appeal was by LB Enfield, Ms A having been successful on first appeal. The issues were i)...
Renters Rights Act Day!
And Lo! The appointed day has been announced! And it is 1 May 2026. Well, partly... On 1 May 2026, the following provisions will come into force: The end of assured shorthold tenancies, fixed terms and new section 21 notices. New and amended grounds of...
Discharge of duty, notification of review, and possession proceedings
The Mayor and Burgesses of The London Borough of Wandsworth v Jerome Young (2025) EWCA Civ 1336 There is a lot going on in this Court of Appeal appeal of a possession order. The two primary issues were i) whether a notification of review rights of a decision...
The King of England… and all his force dares not cross the threshold
Southern Housing v James Emmanuel (2025) EWCC 58 This was a first instance judgment, by District Judge Cridge at Bromley County Court, on the vexed issue of whether the court has the power to amend an injunction order for a tenant to give access to give the...
Awaab’s Law – A summary overview of Phase 1
Today - 27 October 2025 - the regulations implementing phase 1 of Awaab's Law came into force. The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 cover 'significant hazards' of damp, mould and fungal growth, and 'emergency...
Men (and women) behaving badly
A couple of cases involving bad behaviour by landlords/freeholders, both prior to and during proceedings... Kramer v Scudder. Canterbury County Court. 14 August 2025 (unreported. We've seen an unapproved note of judgment. Our thanks to Miranda Grell of...
Redeeming the irredeemable. Gas Safety Certificates and section 21
Cassell & Cassell v Sidhu & Sidhu. HHJ Clarke. County Court at Reading. 9 October 2025 (Copy of Judgment) I had hoped that we could see out the dying days of section 21 notices in relative tranquility, without legal controversy or kerfuffle, (the...