The holiday was lovely, thank you. A couple of degrees hotter than the UK, but with a) the sea 45 seconds from my bed, and b) air conditioned rooms. But it left quite a lot to catch up on of previous backlog and 'while away' things - so, a first instalment...
Awaab’s Law ‘phase 1’, electrical certificates and an investigation into claims management companies.
In a written announcement today - 25 June 2025 - the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has laid out the implementation of ‘phase 1’ of Awaab’s Law, with regulations being laid today. These will take effect on 1 27 October 2025....
What else to do? Disability discrimination and justification
Thiam v Richmond Housing Partnership (2025) EWHC 933 (KB) This was an appeal of a possession order made by HHJ Luba KC. Ms Thiam was the assured tenant of Richmond Housing. A possession order had been sought on grounds 8 (rent arrears), ground 14 (anti...
Equality Act assessors and disclosure of advice
Laidley v Metropolitan Housing Trust Ltd (2025) EWCA Civ 448 This is a second appeal from the High Court's appeal judgment that we noted here. The issue was the use of and non-disclosure to the parties of an Equality Act assessor's advice to the Judge in...
The Yeovil Imbroglio
Cawley & Cawley v Abdri Group Limited. Yeovil County Court. 5 February 2025. (Copy of Judgment) This is something of a companion piece to the two judgments in Bristol we noted here, being also a judgment on an interim application in a housing conditions...
Bristol fashion – housing conditions claims
I've been passed a couple of judgments in housing conditions claims at Bristol County Court, one a contested allocation decision, the other on an application for a stay. They are both interesting, but also I think illustrative of current issues in the...
Starter tenancies, extensions, and section 21 claims – An ASB case.
Yorkshire Housing Limited v Scott. County Court at Scarborough. 30 October 2024. (Not reported. Copy of the judgment is here.) A section 21 based possession claim for a 'starter tenancy' for the reason of anti social behaviour. It was defended on the basis...
Section 21 and Gas Safety again, and tools for tenants.
A couple of quick notes. Robert Jones (Trading as DAP Properties & Ors v Oliver Wood. County Court at Brentford. 20 February 2025. My grateful thanks to Peter Sibley of Landmark Chambers for a note of this case. This was a possession claim based on a...
If it’s not on the list… (unless it is blank)
Uddin & Ors v Notting Hill Genesis (LANDLORD AND TENANT - SERVICE CHARGES - assured tenancies) (2025) UKUT 56 (LC) This was Notting Hill Genesis' appeal from a FTT decision that service charges that it had been charged by the freeholder and in turn had...
The staggered arrival of Awaab’s Law
In a written statement, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced the timescales for the implementation of Awaab's Law - i.e when the specific regulations will take effect. For social housing, this is: October 2025...
No deductions without prior warning.
Roberts v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2025) EWHC 51 (Admin) A quick note on this judicial review of DWP policies on implementing 'diversionary' payments (direct payments of rent element of Universal Credit to landlords) and 'recoupment'...
Service of documents – post and deemed service
D’Aubigny v Khan & Anor (2025) EWCA Civ 11 (Not on Bailii yet, a copy of the judgment is here.) We saw this case in the County Court. This is the Court of Appeal judgment. The central issue was whether service by post of a gas safety certificate, EPC and...