We have news of a recent, and rather important, county court case concerning the termination of a tenancy which had been purported to have been granted to a minor, but who had since turned 18. The case in question is Croydon LBC v Tando. You may recall that...
“Tenting on the Old Camp Ground”
Babenko v Ukraine Appn No 68726/10 of 4/1/12 is an ECHR Chamber decision which looks at the relationship between an applicant's right to social housing from the state and Art 1 of the ECHR First Protocol. The Applicant was a WWII veteran who registered in...
Vulnerability permissions to appeal
The Pereira test is not exactly easy to apply and equally difficult to challenge on a first appeal. In Kata v Westminster CC [2011] EWCA Civ 1456 and Simpson-Lowe v Croydon BC [2012] EWCA Civ 131 (neither are on baili or westlaw, but are on Lexis; Kata is...
Homelessness, proportionality and children
A very welcome guest report on this s.204 Housing Act 1996 Appeal by Alice Hilken of 1 Pump Court, who acted for the appellant, instructed by Rahman & Co. Kumaning v London Borough of Haringey December 2011, Central London County Court, HHJ Saggerson The...
No comparing
When considering 'general housing circumstances in the area' under Housing Act 1996 s.177(2) on a s.202 review, can the review officer conduct a comparative exercise? A s.204 appeal decision in Chawa v Kensington and Chelsea RLBC (Central WLondon County...
Let’s all move to … Wales
We have previously commented on various housing and homelessness developments in Wales. These have been individual interventions into homelessness and the legislative competence order giving legislative housing powers to the Assembly. Moves are now afoot...
To let or not to let
An interesting and novel first instance case has recently emerged from Reigate County Court. Minter v Mole Valley District Council was heard by DJ George on 25th May 2011 and it was reported in the papers here. The facts in summary are as follows: M...
When should an offer be ‘suitable’?
Abed v City of Westminster [2011] EWCA Civ 1406 Is an offer of temporary accommodation under s.193(5) Housing Act 1996 unlawful if the Local Authority has not assessed the suitability of the accommodation before making the offer? This was the issue before...
“Landlords from hell”
Just a quick note to remind people that the second of Channel 4 Dispatches on 'Landlords from hell" is on tonight at 8.30. It is billed as: Jon Snow and a team of undercover reporters find out what really happens to those desperate to find a home, now that...
That must be annoying
Butt v LB Hounslow [2011] EWCA Civ 1372 is, frankly, daylight robbery. You'll remember that in Bubb v Wandsworth (our note here), the Court of Appeal made clear that the county court on a s.204 appeal should not start finding facts. Ever. So, we come to...
No facts please, we’re reviewing
Bubb v London Borough of Wandsworth [2011] EWCA Civ 1285 In an appeal under s.204 Housing Act 1996, should the County Court determine disputed factual issues? In this second appeal, the Court of Appeal effectively holds not. Ms Bubb was in temporary...
Proportionality. A precis on ‘summary’
Holmes v Westminster City Council [2011] EWHC 2857 (QB) An interesting appeal from a summary possession order on the issue of consideration of proportionality. While the outcome is not, perhaps, a surprise, some of the arguments are. Plus this is an example...