Things rarely stand still in the housing market and 2013 is no different. Our quarterly publication of Housing Landscape aims to help professionals in housing to understand key issues and to keep up with all changes in the market. Our spring edition of Housing Landscape is now available and ready for download.
All local authorities with housing responsibilities must prepare a report under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 by 31 March 2013, setting out “the local energy conservation measures that a local authority – or groups of authorities – consider practical, cost effective, and likely to significantly improve the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in its area”. Time is running out to finalise the reports ahead of publishing them on the relevant local authority’s website and sending a copy to the Secretary of State.
The EU Commission formally approved the UK Government's support of its Green Deal initiative on 5 February 2013 and found that this support is in line with EU rules on state aid and will ultimately assist competition.
In March 2002, Dacorum Borough Council granted a joint introductory tenancy to Mr and Mrs Sims which, in March 2003, became a secure tenancy. After alleged domestic violence Mrs Sims left the property with her children. In June 2010 Mrs Sims served a notice to quit on the Council.
Ever since the Government indicated that it was committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty through the Green Deal initiative, sections of the media and other commentators have lined up to highlight aspects of the Green Deal which they do not believe will work or deliver the expected benefits. So who is right? Is Green Deal the real deal? Is it even the right deal?
On 24 January 2014 the Government announced a package of measures that include the much talked about changes to the permitted development regime to allow the conversion of offices to residential. The changes are due to come into force in Spring 2013. This article sets out details of the changes, the possible exemptions, and the actions that may need to be taken by local authorities and landowners/funders who may benefit from these changes.
Heavy snow is forecast around the country over the weekend with up to 30 cm expected on higher ground. While this may bring delight to children whose schools are closed, if you are an employer under a building contract, you may be wary of contractors seeking to blame delay on the current weather and claiming the extra cost of those delays under the terms of the relevant building contract.
Housing associations have been working hard for some time to prepare for the likely impact of the Welfare Benefit reforms, to be introduced from April 2013 onwards, on their businesses and on their customers. In Part 1 of this update, we look at rent arrears possession cases, as these will need to be looked at more closely in view of the potential adverse financial impact on cash flow for housing associations. In Part 2 of this update, which will follow next month, we will look at recovering possession due to under-occupation.
The announcement by the Government last Friday (19 October 2012) of the Green Deal cashback scheme, where both registered providers (as landlords) and tenants can claim cash back on energy saving improvements, once again brings to the fore the range of possibilities presented by the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO).
This alert considers the key issues that registered providers should take into account before engaging with the Government’s flagship policy to reduce carbon emissions throughout the country.
The Growth and Infrastructure Bill, issued on 18th October, implements a number of the measures announced by the Government in September as part of its major planning and housing package. The Government says the Bill will help the country compete on the global stage by cutting red tape which, it claims, is delaying new infrastructure and job creation, and discouraging business investment.
This article will look in greater detail at the first three measures that are intended to assist with bringing developments forward and that are giving rise to industry comment.