Posted 18.02.17
Anthony Collins Solicitors: Article link
Key developments in legislation have been announced that affect rent increases in relation to social housing rents, intermediate rents and domestic violence refuge accommodation.
The Social Housing Rents (Exceptions & Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2016 have been amended by the introduction of the Social Housing Rents (Exceptions & Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations of 2017 (The Regulations). These amendments come into effect on different dates.
A useful summary of the main additions and amendments to the Regulations can be accessed via the above link to the Anthony Collins Solicitors' website.
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Posted 10.02.17
BBC Newsbeat: Article link
A new law designed to help protect people renting homes from rogue landlords isn't working, say MPs and housing lawyers.
Faulty electrics, damp and broken boilers that don't get fixed are all officially classed as category one hazards which pose a risk to health. But many private tenants are worried that if they complain too much, they will be evicted.
The law in England changed in 2015 to make "revenge evictions" illegal. But it only applies to rental agreements signed since 1st October 2015.
Despite that change though, figures gathered by Radio 1 Newsbeat through Freedom of Information requests show that more than half of local councils across England haven't used these powers.
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Posted 07.02.17
Department for Communities and Local Government: Article link
Sajid Javid's statement on the housing white paper included the following:
"We need to have a proper conversation about housing need."
"Once we know how many homes are needed where, we need sites on which to build them."
"We promised that the green belt was safe in our hands and that is still the case."
"We will make the planning system more open and accessible."
"We will make it easier for small and medium-sized builders to compete.
"We will support efficient, innovative and under-used methods of construction, such as off-site factory builds."
"We will support housing associations to build more and explore options to encourage local authorities to build again."
"We will encourage institutional investment in the private rented sector."
"We will make life easier for custom builders who want to create their own home."
We will improve safeguards in the private rented sector and do more to prevent homelessness."
"We will tackle the scourge of unfair leasehold terms."
"Will be working with the rental sector to promote 3-year tenancy agreements."