Crack Down on Cowboy Builders

Details were announced of proposed changes to the building control system, aimed at cracking down on illegal construction.

Re-designation of Homes Caused Distress

A woman in her 90s was "very distressed" by events after a council stopped restricting tenancies of her block of flats to older people.

Confusion Over Decontamination Costs

Council failed to consider the position of people who had bought their homes under the Right to Buy scheme when dealing with decontaminated land.

Council Refuses to Compensate Repair Damage

Council damaged the decorations in a tenant's home when carrying out repairs but refused to pay compensation.

Police Evidence Ignored when Making Benefit Payments

A Council's failure to consider police evidence cost a landlord £700 in lost rent, finds Local Government Ombudsman, Tony Redmond.

New Planning Rules to Cut Carbon Emmissions

New rules to allow homeowners to install solar panels and other microgeneration technologies to help cut carbon emissions were given the green light.

Proposals for Regional Government Reform Published

The Government published proposals for new streamlined regional government with the phasing out of Regional Assemblies from 2010.

National Mobility Scheme Study Announced

Consultants Campbell Tickell have been appointed by the Housing Corporation to conduct a feasibility study into a national mobility scheme.