The Homes Act 2018: a landlord’s guide

By Richard Walker, National Technical and Development Manager at Peter Cox This April, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitations) Act came into effect. The updated legislation allows tenants in England and Wales to pursue legal action against landlords who do... View Article

Coffin Mew comments on no fault evictions

Following recent reports that the government will consult on no fault, or section 21, evictions, Adrian McClinton, Partner at Coffin Mew comments: “The government’s announcement that it is consulting on the removal of ‘no fault evictions’ represents a seismic shift... View Article

New technologies inspire optimism on energy use

Patrick Mooney explores why new technologies are inspiring him to be more optimistic about our use of energy The challenges posed by global warming in terms of how can we reduce carbon emissions, safeguard our health and pass on a... View Article

How to keep your home warm and avoid emergencies

We never know what weather is awaiting us from one week to the next, but while our climate is always unpredictable, one thing for certain is that we will have a prolonged cold spell at some point during the year.... View Article

Rachman or Rigsby – neither portrayal is accurate

Patrick Mooney looks at the latest Private Landlord Survey report  The public image of Britain’s private landlords is often based on an outdated and stereotypical charicature, something like the Rigsby character (as played by the late Leonard Rossiter) in the 1970s... View Article

LGA responds to MHCLG rapid rehousing pathway funding

Responding to MHCLG’s announcement that 42 bids for the rapid rehousing pathway had been successful, Local Government Association Housing spokesman Cllr Martin Tett, said:  “Funding for local authorities will help council efforts to try and tackle homelessness. Every instance of... View Article

How will we heat our homes if we can’t rely on gas?

Patrick Mooney explores the alternatives to traditional heating At a recent housing conference I heard an expert warn his audience that we better get used to heating our homes with something other than gas, because by 2050 this energy source... View Article

LGA responds to rogue landlord funding

Responding to government funding of nearly £2.4 million for councils to tackle rogue landlords, Cllr Judith Blake, Housing spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: “The vast majority of landlords are responsible and provide decent housing for their tenants, however... View Article

The curious incident of the missing prosecutions

Recent newspaper headlines have focused on the estimated 10,000 rogue landlords in the private rented sector and why none of them currently appear on the new national database that is meant to protect tenants from harassment and dangerous property conditions.... View Article

MHCLG Grenfell update – LABC responds

Last week, in a written statement, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire, updated the government’s response to the Grenfell tragedy. Among the announcements were amendments to the approved documents confirming what materials can be... View Article

London councils offered more funding for planning

The Mayor of London has announced £10 million for ambitious councils that want to boost their role in building new homes in the capital. Building on previous positive announcements this year – small sites and SME house builder initiatives, increased... View Article

Comment on call for £42bn for housing associations

Martin Bellinger, executive chairman at Guildmore, said: “Housing Associations are justified in demanding far more than the £2bn of investment promised by the Prime Minister. In order to deliver in the 2020s during a period of market adjustment to the... View Article