In October and November 2000 we were reporting:
The Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation announced proposals to set up an inquiry into Housing Benefit and Council Tax administration. Evidence will be taken from those working in the system and others affected by it, with the objective of examining reasons for the current large backlogs of arrears and the implications of the recently introduced anti-fraud verification framework...
Local authorities in England were invited to bid for pilot projects under a new scheme, which will test different lettings approaches, aimed at giving new and existing social tenants greater choice over their housing. It is envisaged that 10 - 20 pilot projects will be supported, although the final number will depend on the scope and quality of the bids received. They will run for up to two years from 1 April 2001, with £11 million being made available over three years to support and evaluate them...
The Government announced the 88 areas which will benefit from the new £800 million Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to help improve housing, raise school standards, reduce crime, and improve health in deprived areas. The Fund will make available £100 million in 2001-02, £300 million in 2002-03, and £400 million in 2003-04...
It is reported that energy labelling for new homes will be introduced to provide prospective buyers with information on the energy efficiency of new dwellings…
Under new provisions in the revised Building Regulations and Approved Inspectors Regulations 2000, from 1st January 2001 builders will be required to visually display energy ratings of new homes, as well as notifying the building control body. The new requirement ensures that prospective buyers and first occupiers have an indication of how energy efficient the home is. It is likely, therefore, to help to promote energy efficiency as a factor in people's decisions on which home to choose...
Wandsworth LBC introduced a new anti-social behaviour list of rules to be followed by residents and their visitors. The agreement was drawn up after consultation with representatives of residents. It bans obvious unacceptable behaviour, including criminal/immoral acts, noise nuisance, harassment, dumping rubbish, etc., all of which could be grounds for eviction. Some of the less common banned activities are hanging washing outside the home, feeding pigeons, holding barbecues on balconies, and letting strangers into communal areas of blocks...
A national housing strategy that will help reduce social disadvantage and provide a framework within which Wales can develop communities was the proposal of a consultation paper - Better Homes for People in Wales - presented to the Assembly by Minister for Finance, Local Government and Communities, Edwina Hart...
A Seller's Pack helps to make the process of buying and selling a home a more certain and a less stressful experience, according to the findings of the Government's pilot study in Bristol. The research shows that 87% of accepted offers on properties with a Seller's Pack resulted in a completed transaction, compared to 72% recorded by an earlier DETR study of the present process. More than 80% of buyers were satisfied with the process of buying a home with a Pack - the earlier DETR study showed only 45% of buyers were satisfied with the present system...
The Government published its White Paper entitled - A Fair Deal for Rural England - which includes measures aimed at revitalising England's rural areas. Proposals included doubling the Housing Corporation programme in small settlements and working with local authorities to give 1000 extra affordable homes each year and a total of 9000 per year in all rural districts by 2003...
In October and November 2004 we were reporting:
The DSS confirmed that Wandsworth Council will be the second London borough to pilot proposed Housing Benefit reforms. It will be one of nine local authorities taking part in the second round of pathfinders for the private sector Local Housing Allowance, scheduled to start in April 2005. Lewisham Council is one of the round one pathfinders...
Westminster Council launched its biggest push so far to reduce begging. Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) used against those caught begging more than five times, will direct those with drug addiction problems to seek treatment within the borough. Research suggests a significant link between begging and drug dependency...
Birmingham Council were reported to have paid out more than £5 million in compensation and legal fees last year, as a consequence of being the target of no win - no fee solicitors. Tenants of the Council received leaflets from firms of solicitors - not all of which were local - advising them on how to request repairs to be carried out and then sue the Council if they were not completed within the statutory period. This led to the Council being swamped with unusually high numbers of repairs requests. As a result, it was unable to complete all works within the statutory period...
More homes are being built on recycled land and at higher densities, according to recently published updated statistics. Latest Land Use Change Statistics show 67% of all new dwellings in England were built on brownfield sites in both 2002 and 2003, compared with 56% in 1997. They also show new dwellings in England were built at an average density of 33 dwellings per hectare in 2003, compared with 27 dwellings per hectare in 2002 and only 25 in 1997...
Leeds Council drew up plans for designating an area as an exclusion area for developing any form of student accommodation. Rising demand for student accommodation is affecting the balance of some communities. Developments banned would include new halls of residents, extensions to existing student accommodation, and homes intended for multiple use by students...
A tough new approach will see the strengthening of a raft of measures aimed at reversing a growing trend of cars being illegally abandoned by removing untaxed and unregistered vehicles from streets and public spaces. Local authorities will be given greater powers to fine offenders, and the general public are being urged to dispose of vehicles responsibly...
The Housing Bill received Royal Assent and the Housing Act 2004 entered the statute books.
A scheme devised by Notting Hill HT could lead to a pilot, whereby tenants would be involved in MOTs on their homes. The Trust are looking at the possibility of offering tenants an annual cash bonus for carrying out small repairs themselves. An annual inspection would be carried out, similar to a car MOT, and if the home is of a good standard the cash incentive would be given to the tenant. Any required works at the date of the inspection would be completed by the Trust...