I am surprised it had not happened sooner, because there had to be some, but today someone spotted an error in the section 21 notice flowchart - specifically in the end-note about s.21(4)(a) notices for tenancies that were periodic from the outset. A...
“Perverse Incentives”
Osman, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Harrow [2017] EWHC 274 (Admin) A challenge to Harrow's allocation policy, specifically on the 'downgrading' of allocation priority for overcrowded households in PRS accommodation, while existing Harrow...
It ain’t what you do, but the way that you do it – property guardians & ‘licences’
(1) Camelot Property Management Ltd, (2) Camelot Guardian Management Ltd v Greg Roynon. County Court at Bristol, 24 February 2017 (copy of Judgment) We've noted the issues bubbling away between Camelot and property guardians in Bristol (here, and here), and...
Failings and functions
BBC News reported on the effect of the Retaliatory Eviction provisions in the Deregulation Act, some 16 months on. A large scale FOI request produced the result that only 19% of councils had recorded stopping even 1 retaliatory eviction through service of an...
Tales of the private sector
A collation of cases and stories from the private sector, and a series of reminders that a database of rogue landlords, and indeed banning orders, can't come soon enough. In Sheffield, John Cashin was convicted of 56 offences involving HMO management,...
We’re going to need another canto – 2016 roundup
"We to the place have come, where I have told thee Thou shalt behold the people dolorous Who have foregone the good of intellect." (canto 3) Midway between Christmas and new year, I found myself, fat and indolent, on the sofa, contemplating a year-end post....
Suspense surrounds suspended possession orders
Ever since Cardiff City Council v Lee [2016] EWCA Civ 1034 (our note), there has been a ferment and a gnashing of teeth amongst landlords, particularly social landlords, about the best way to deal with the 'new' requirement under CPR 83(2) to make an...
Begging and questions
First the begging - or at least a request - though not on our own behalf. As you all know, the NL team all work on the blog for free. We do it because we all really enjoy reading, writing and thinking about housing law and we’re grateful (and still a bit...
Rather too certain to be uncertain
Leeds City Council v Broadley [2016] EWCA Civ 1213 This was Leeds' second appeal of a Valuation Tribunal decision on council tax liability. We covered the first High Court appeal here. Full disclosure, I acted for the intervener in this second appeal, the...
Private sector updates
Section 8 notice prescribed form The Govt has made The Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (England) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations 2016. The Schedule contains a new 'form 3' - the prescribed form of Section 8 Notice Seeking Possession....
PRS enforcement corner
Three items relating to PRS licensing/HMO regulations and property management enforcement, with some added harassment of tenants thrown in. Thanks to Dean Underwood at Cornerstone for news of this Magistrates Court case. London Borough of Waltham Forest v...
Initial Requirements and late prescribed information
Our thanks for this county court possession and deposit appeal case note to Josephine Henderson of Five Paper Chambers and Dambudzo Tenner of Duncan Lewis Amak Property Investments (London) Ltd v Laura Sonny B01CL657. 15 September 2016, The County Court at...