Brief notes on assorted cases of some interest that we haven't otherwise covered. (Well, of interest to me. Other people may be interested in some or all of them. Covering possession, service charges, tribunal costs, management, Defective Premises Act, rent...
Between repairs and structural defects
City of London v Various Leaseholders of Great Arthur House (2021) EWCA Civ 431 This was the Court of Appeal judgment on an appeal from the Upper Tribunal (our report here) where the issue was whether the leaseholders were liable under their service charge...
Mandatory relief when left in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
Imam, R (On the Application Of) v The London Borough of Croydon (2021) EWHC 739 (Admin) This is the judgment in a judicial review claim seeking a declaration that Croydon was in breach of its statutory duty under section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1996 to...
Arrears, conduct and Tribunal discretion on RRO awards.
Awad v Hooley (2021) UKUT 55 (LC) This was an appeal to the Upper Tribunal of the FTT decision on a rent repayment order application that we first saw here. The applicant tenant had had rent arrears at the start of the period for which an RRO was sought, and...
R(Ncube) v Brighton: “Everyone In” does exactly what it says on the tin
The much-anticipated decision in R(Ncube) v Brighton and Hove City Council (2021) EWHC 578 (Admin) has arrived, confirming that in an emergency, "Everyone In" really does mean everyone. Mr Ncube was a rough sleeper and refused asylum seeker from Zimbabwe...
Eviction stay and 6 months notice requirement extended
The Govt has today (10 March 2021) announced that the ban on bailiff evictions and the requirement for 6 months notice on Notices Seeking Possession (and Rent Act NTQs) will both be extend to 31 May 2021. Both were due to expire on 31 March 2021. We will...
Shared Ownership and ‘qualifying tenants’.
A short note on an Upper Tribunal appeal that may have broader consequences. Avon Ground Rents Ltd v Canary Gateway (Block A) RTM Company Ltd & Anor (2020) UKUT 358 (LC) This was an appeal on whether the leaseholders of two block were entitled to acquire...
Leasehold miscellany
Some brief notes on Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal judgments on leasehold matters. Aviva Investors Ground Rent GP LTd & Anor v Williams & Ors (2021) EWCA Civ 27 Lease wording on apportionment of service charges to the effect that "your share of...
Substantial debts are not substantial arrears
The decision of Master Dagnall in The Master, Wardens and Assistants of the Guild Fraternity of the Brotherhood of the Most Glorious and Undivided Trinity and St Clement in the Parish of Deptford Strond, commonly called the Corporation of the Trinity House...
Misc – possession and mediation, money and remediation
The HMCTS mediation pilot on possession claims started on 1 February 2021, with the idea that it will ease the backlog of possession claims in the county courts by allowing resolution of landlord and tenant disputes outside of the full possession process....
“Do you remember the first time?” Local connection and second applications
In this irrationality challenge, R(Minott) v Cambridge City Council (2021) EWHC 211 (Admin), the High Court rejected Mr Minott's claim that his unlawful occupation of a property gave him a local connection to Cambridge. It also rejected his submission that...
Lancashire Hot Pot – waiver of forfeiture and landlord knowledge of breach
On 22nd January the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in the case of Faiz v Burnley Borough Council (2021) EWCA Civ 55. Judgment dismissing the appeal was given by Lewison LJ; with whom Arnold and Asplin LLJs agreed. The case came on appeal from the...