Montero, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Lewisham (2021) EWHC 1359 (Admin) This was a judicial review of LB Lewisham's allocation scheme, and specifically of the operation of the 5 year residence requirement for eligibility to join the housing...
The Inferno of the private rental sector
For some reason, a whole tranche of First tier Tribunal decisions on rent repayment order applications have just shown up on Bailii. Collectively, they confirm that should you wish to take a journey through the 9 circles of the hell of the private rented...
A Sigh of Relief: Elkundi & Ors v Birmingham City Council
Hot on the heels of the decision in R (Imam) v London Borough of Croydon (2021) EWHC 739 (Admin) (see our note here) comes this altogether more satisfying decision, Elkundi & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Birmingham City Council (2021) EWHC 1024...
Nur v Birmingham (Part 2): some on the allocation scheme are more equal than others
This case, Nur & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Birmingham City Council (2021) EWHC 1138 (Admin), is the second part of a decision concerning the housing allocations scheme in Birmingham, with the December 2020 decision covered here on Nearly Legal. ...
Less Notice! More Forms! End of eviction ban!
I know, I know - it is a Wednesday, so you weren't expecting new regulations and forms. Let alone a couple of weeks before they come into effect. But here they are! (For England only) The Govt announced that from 1 June 2021 there will be new notice periods...
Rent Repayment Order and legal costs
Leibel v Baird CHI/29UC/HMF/2020/0035 (4 May 2021) (FTT decision available here) This was an application for a rent repayment order in respect of an unlicensed property. Unusually, it also featured a rule 13 costs application by the tenant. Ms Leibel was one...
Service charge miscellany
Aster Communities v Kerry Chapman & Ors (2021) EWCA Civ 660 The Court of Appeal dsimissed Aster's appeal from the Upper Tribunal and upheld the UT's reasoning on setting conditions on Aster's application for dispensation from section 20 consultation...
It is a Friday, so new regulations made – form 3/section 8 notice. It doesn’t work.
Admittedly slightly earlier on a Friday than we have come to expect, but still on a Friday to come into force the next working day, come The Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (Moratorium Debt) (Consequential Amendment) (England)...
Mixed nuts – assorted notes
Various notes, including the possession claim mediation pilot, a 'no DSS' discrimination case, a service charge payability case, and a finding on the requirements of a statutory Environmental Protection Act notice before prosecution. MHCLG have (slightly...
Rough sleeping and the immigration rules: an update
Back in October 2020, we covered the introduction of new 9.21.1 and 9.22.2 of the Immigration Rules (here). In outline, these created a power for the Secretary of State to refuse an immigration application where the applicant was a rough sleeper or to cancel...
Section 204 appeals – weighing medical evidence and ending ‘relief duty’
Perrott v Hackney London Borough Council, 29 Janaury 2021, Central London County Court (unreported - approved judgment here) and Perrott v Hackney London Borough Council, 29 January 2021, Central London County Court (unreported - approved judgment here) Two...
Relief from forfeiture – Don’t dilly dally on the way
Keshwala & Anor v Bhalsod & Anor (2021) EWCA Civ 492 This was the second appeal, to the Court of Appeal, of a relief from forfeiture matter for commercial property that we have previously seen in the High Court (our report here). The issue was...