In Powell v Dacorum BC (2019) EWCA Civ 29 and Forward v Aldwyck Housing Group Ltd (2019) EWHC 24 (QB), the question of the effect of the public sector equality duty under s. 149, Equality Act 2010, on possession proceedings where there had been drugs...
Do not put aside the set aside, or delay 6 months to seek relief
Gibbs v Lakeside Developments Ltd (2018) EWCA Civ 2874 Oh dear... Behind the key point in this case lies a history of unfortunate things. But what fell to be decided by the court of appeal is whether, in a leasehold forfeiture case, the lessee could succeed...
All out of Proportion
We saw the case of McDonald v McDonald through the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court found that as between private parties, there was no right to a proportionality review of eviction under the Section 21 possession claim procedure....
Challenging service charges that aren’t yours, and views on housing in the courts
I'm not going to go into detail on Gateway Holdings (NWB) Ltd v McKenzie & Anor (LANDLORD AND TENANT - SERVICE CHARGES) [2018] UKUT 371 (LC) but it does set out a point of principle. Ms McKenzie, the current leaseholder, sought to challenge service...
A Housing Court – MHCLG have some odd questions for you.
And so the promised 'call for evidence' on the need for and outline of a specialist Housing Court has come to pass. And, frankly, what an odd thing it is. First, the MCHLG press release is headed Except the one thing that is definitely not happening in this...
Weekend assortment
Some bits and pieces, of various levels of jaw dropping. MHCLG have produced updates for the Homelessness Code of Guidance. Under Chapter 8 'Priority need', there is a new section 8.40: 8.40 Any person who may reasonably be expected to die of a progressive...
Universal Credit – more woes
I may well be late to the party here, but a couple of specific issues with Universal Credit have been pointed out to me that I, at least, had not heard before. So, in case I am not alone, I pass these on. They both amount to a significant departure from the...
You ain’t the boss of me (yet)
Barrow & Anoe v Kazim & Ors (2018) EWCA Civ 2414 When a section 21 notice is served, does the party serving it (or on whose behalf it is served) have to be the tenant's landlord at that time? The situation in this second appeal was one that is now...
Succession and discrimination – death or divorce
London Borough of Haringey v Simawi & Anor (2018) EWHC 2733 This was a challenge, arising from a possession claim, to the 'one succession' rule on secure tenancies. Mr S was the son of Mr and Mrs Simawi, who were the joint secure tenants of a Haringey...
Property Guardians – licence not tenancy in office building
Camelot Guardian Management Ltd v Khoo (2018) EWHC 2296 (QB) I missed this at the time (July). I might well have been on holiday, but also it didn't make the usual sources. This is quite a significant judgment on the issue of property guardians and the...
Harassment – when new evidence isn’t.
Taiwo v Homelets of Bath Ltd (2018) EWHC 2757 (QB) This was Homelets of Bath appeal from first instance judgment against them on Ms T's claim for harassment under Prevention of Harassment Act 1997 and Protection from Eviction Act 1977, and assault and false...
How… How did THAT happen? corner
Another in our occasional series of cases that cause you to splutter into your coffee. Kirby v Salvation Army Hostel Association (2018) QBD 12/10/2018 (Unreported. Lawtel note of extempore judgment) As far as we can tell, Mr K had been occupying a room in a...