News from Mr Pickles and the DCLG Item 1. The Government is to bring s.318 Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 into force, finally according travellers on authorised sites the same security as those who come under the Mobile Homes Act. Hurrah. Item 2. Planning...
HMOs and Council Tax
Goremsandu, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Harrow [2010] EWHC 1873 (Admin) As many of you will know the definition of an HMO for the purposes of Council Tax is totally different from that used in the Housing Act 2004 (and in relation to...
A farewell to the pink campervan?
It appears that the Tenant Services Authority is living on borrowed time and is on route to being the shortest lived social housing regulator ever, having got its full powers only in April 2010. There will probably be an announcement at the Chartered...
Pulling the Rugg out from under them
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has now confirmed that not only the National Landlord Register is finished as a proposal. Also dead in the water are regulation of letting and managing agents, and compulsory written tenancy agreements. Councils are 'urged to...
Housing policy dribbles
Or the good, the bad and the ugly from the Housing minister and the Communities and Local Government secretary. Grant Shapps, housing minister has been setting out some plans, or perhaps aspirations. Mostly, these seem to involve encouraging people to buy...
A farewell to the RSL
On 17 March 2010, the 'The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010', SI 2010 NO. 866 was made. Also enacted on 17 March was The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Commencement No. 7 and Transitional and Saving Provisions)...
(Not so) Restrictive Covenants
The Lands Tribunal has ruled on a restrictive covenants issue.
John Healy saves the world*
*Not really. The current housing minister, who holds the current record for the number of times a housing minister's name can be mentioned in a press release, has announced forthcoming legislation, in response to the Rugg report. More details here [link to...
HMO Planning Changes and a Consultation
The Department of Communities and Local Government has published new proposals on dealing with HMOs.
Its all in the name
The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Registration of Local Authorities) Order 2010 has just been laid before Parliament in draft form, to come into effect on April 1, 2010. A copy is available here. In short, it makes it compulsory for local authorities...
Rent Repayment Orders
As well as the process of criminal convictions and fines which results from the failure to have the necessary property licence as required by the Housing Act 2004 there is a further penalty which can be imposed on unlicensed landlords. This is the Rent...
On the Naughty Step
And what a thoroughly deserving new entrant to the roll we have in Anthony Carroll, apparently known as 'Uncle Tony', although 'Uncle' to whom and whether any Godfather style references were intended is not at all clear. Mr Carroll is a Nottingham based...