In September 2002 we were reporting:
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced that the current two separate housing inspectorates for social housing will be united into a new single Housing Inspectorate, located at the Audit Commission, from April 2003. The new Inspectorate will be responsible for raising standards of service to tenants of both local authorities and housing associations...
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott gave a clear indication of the Government's intention to act to reform the problems caused by the Right to Buy. The following is an extract from his speech at the Labour Party Conference: In these areas of severe housing shortage, the Right to Buy is denying families the right to a home. I am not saying we will end the Right to Buy - no one is seeking to turn the clock back 20 years - but the Right to Buy undermined - and continues to undermine - social housing in designated housing crisis area...
Doncaster MBC's innovative scheme to tackle noisy neighbours and other nuisance noise won a prestigious John Connell Award. The annual awards were established by the Noise Abatement Society (NAS) to encourage local authorities to develop schemes to raise awareness of noise problems and to mediate and settle conflicts arising from noise complaints...
The Law Commission published its second renting homes consultation covering co-occupation, transfer and succession. The paper includes proposals to extend the right to inherit tenancies to unmarried and same-sex couples. If adopted, all cohabiting couples would have the same rights, including those where one partner has undergone a sex change. The document also suggests extending succession rights to carers as well as partners...
Three London councils joined forces to launch a consultation exercise on a new accredited accommodation scheme. Under the voluntary scheme, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering councils are inviting 600 private landlords to have their properties checked against acceptable standards.
A similar scheme was recently launched for promotion to 400 landlords in Greater Manchester by Salford Council, with support from Oldham Council. That scheme aims to target houses in multiple occupation and, in particular, landlords who provide accommodation for asylum seekers and students...
In September 2006 we were reporting:
Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said new UK homes should be built to Scandinavian standards and better them within ten years. Speaking after a visit to environmentally friendly and sustainability designed housing developments in the Netherlands and Scandinavia with stakeholders from the house building, regeneration and environmental sectors, the Minister said developers need to increase standards to meet the challenges of climate change...
Setting out the next steps on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Information Packs, Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said she would be meeting mortgage lenders and energy companies to discuss the development of new incentives, such as green mortgages. The Minister also said EPCs could be linked to schemes run by energy companies which give homebuyers cash up-front to make energy saving alterations to their houses...
A new report by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveals that local authorities are systematically failing to provide suitable accommodation and support for vulnerable children leaving custody, in breach of their statutory duties, and putting the public in danger of further crime. Its legal team found that local authorities across the country are flouting a whole range of legislation designed to ensure that children do not leave custody bereft of support. Many children are returning to precisely the same situation that led to their imprisonment in the first place...
Government consultation closed on how to amend the 70-year-old definition of overcrowding. Earlier this year, the Government accepted that the status quo was no longer relevant and launched a consultation exercise on alternative approaches. The popular view appears to be to adopt the bedroom standard, which allocates a number of bedrooms to a household - taking account of the sex, age and marital status of the family members...
The Housing Corporation commissioned research into how disabled tenants feel housing associations could improve their services. The study will examine how the Corporation can influence associations to respond better to disabled needs and also - how it can itself make a significant contribution. The findings will feed into the Corporation's guidance to associations on how to respond to the requirements of the new Disability Discrimination Act...
A new Government website www.defra.gov.uk/rural/arh/index.htm providing information, useful contacts and links to best practice for those directly engaged, or interested, in the provision of affordable homes in rural areas was launched. Sponsored jointly by DCLG and Defra, the website follows the report of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission (ARHC), which looked at the need for more affordable housing in rural areas. The site sets out current and proposed Government housing and planning policies, impacting on the rural sector...
Six housing associations were selected as part of a new project to develop training and implementation of services for refugees and asylum seekers. Opening Doors is a project which aims to increase the availability of housing services to refugees and asylum seekers in more integrated neighbourhoods. The associations will identify refugee housing needs in their areas and develop the knowledge, skills and expertise within their own organisations to implement and share good practice...
A groundbreaking new study of tenants' views concludes that housing associations could do better in terms of getting the basics right and opening up choices. What Tenants Want is a new report from the Tenant Involvement Commission - an independent commission chaired by Ed Mayo, chief executive of the National Consumer Council. It calls for housing associations in England to renew the relationship with their 5 million tenants, on the basis of better services and accountability...
