CIEH calls for better regulation for letting agents

Responding to the new investigation by Which? into unfair practices from Letting Agents, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has called for better regulation for letting agents. The Which? Investigation found that some lettings agents are using unfair practices... View Article

Two Welsh HAs get extra scrutiny

The Welsh Government has increased its scrutiny of two social landlords amid concerns over their governance and financial viability. One of the housing associations is in the process of merging with another landlord, but the extra regulation is not expected... View Article

‘Rogue’ private landlords must stop exploiting students

A Government minister has warned landlords who fail to meet standards for student accommodation that they will face justice under new regulations designed to protect all private rental tenants. Universities Minister Chris Skidmore hit out at private landlords who do... View Article

Harrogate to pilot changes to Universal Credit

Amber Rudd has revealed the Yorkshire town of Harrogate will be the first area where existing welfare benefit claimants will be transferred onto Universal Credit, after telling Parliament she is committed to making the system fairer. This will involve piloting... View Article

Fixed-term tenancies have had their day

A growing number of housing associations are scrapping their use of fixed term tenancies in a rejection of the policy, first brought in by the Coalition Government as David Cameron sought to change the role and purpose of social housing.... View Article

L&Q set to build 20,000 new homes in the North West

Giant social landlord L&Q has announced ambitious plans to invest £4bn to create 20,000 new homes and neighbourhoods in the North West of England through the takeover of Manchester based Trafford Housing Trust. L&Q sees THT as a gateway to... View Article

Homelessness Reduction Act increasing numbers in TA

More people are being placed in temporary and emergency accommodation as councils struggle to cope with rising numbers of people facing homelessness and a lack of affordable housing for them. The findings of a Local Government Association survey coincided with... View Article

Right to Rent scheme ruled to be unlawful

The Right to Rent scheme which required landlords to check the passports and immigration status of prospective tenants has been found to be unlawful – as it encouraged racial discrimination against anybody with a foreign-sounding name or a foreign passport.... View Article

Empty homes in England rises to more than 216,000

The number of empty homes across England has risen for the second year running to more than 216,000, its highest level since 2012 (when 254,059 properties were empty) according to official figures. The number of long-term vacant properties (those that... View Article

Tenants not being protected from revenge evictions

Only five per cent of private sector tenants who complained to councils about the condition of t heir homes are being properly protected by their local authorities. According to Generation Rent, 99 English councils received a total of 67,026 complaints... View Article

Homelessness in Wales at highest level since law changed

Homelessness in Wales has climbed to its highest level since new legislation designed to tackle the problem was passed in 2015, with continuing austerity and welfare reforms being blamed for the increases. Some 2,997 households became homeless from October to... View Article