Edinburgh Landlord Struck Off Register
3rd July 2012
A landlord has been removed from the landlord register which makes it a criminal offence for him to rent out property - the first time this power has been used in Edinburgh.
Evidence was heard at the City of Edinburgh Council's Regulatory Committee where Yousef Mohammed's application to operate a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at a flat in the south of the City was refused.
In addition, his name was removed from the landlord register when councillors decided he did not meet the 'fit and proper person' criteria. The result is that Mr Mohammed can no longer operate as a residential landlord in Edinburgh.
Councillors heard evidence that Mr Mohammed had failed to adequately tell them about his criminal convictions and defied previous decisions of the Council where he continued to rent out HMO properties whilst not holding a licence.
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Birmingham Housing Boosted with New Lease and Repair Scheme
24th July 2012
Housing in Birmingham is set for a £4.3 million boost, with an innovative new scheme to bring 190 empty homes back into use as affordable housing.
Birmingham City Council has been awarded £3.22 million from the 'Empty Homes programme' and will provide a further £1.14 million to boost the programme and bring the homes back into use by April 2015.
A report going shortly to Birmingham City Council's Cabinet outlines an innovative, scheme whereby owners of properties that have been empty for more than six months will be invited to lease their homes to the Council for up to ten years. In return, they will have their property repaired and maintained until the lease expires.
Owners, who often struggle to meet the cost of repairs, will also receive a monthly income from the City Council, which will depend on the cost of the refurbishment required.
The properties will be let to families on the City Council's housing waiting list who may be at risk of homelessness or living in overcrowded conditions.
Tenants will pay their rent and have their home maintained by the City Council during their tenancy.
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Mears Awarded Southwark Housing Repairs Contract
30th July 2012
Southwark Council appointed Mears on an interim basis as a first step in the implementation of a new repairs and maintenance process. In April, the Council cancelled its £9.5 million a year contract with Morrison.
Ian Wingfield, Cabinet Member for Housing at Southwark, said:
"Although the repairs service is improving, it still has some way to go to achieve the quality of service that we, and residents, can be proud of.
"We are looking to Mears to work with us to raise standards and improve customer service in the short-term while we put in place arrangements for the long-term future."
Mears and Morrison will work together on site until October. Mears will then work as sole contractor until October 2013 when a new permanent provider will be named. It is understood that Morrison have indicated that it will bid in the next procurement process.
