One in 10 rentals in England being advertised unlawfully

Research by the National Housing Federation and Shelter shows at least one in 10 rental properties in England is being advertised unlawfully by discriminating against people who rely on housing benefit to pay their rent. Analysis of around 86,000 letting adverts... View Article

Tenants get far less Government subsidy than homeowners

Homeowners get a much bigger slice of Government help than renters, whether they are social or private tenants, according to a report published by the Chartered Institute of Housing. Contrary to widespread beliefs, an analysis of Whitehall spending, taxation and... View Article

Student rents jump as accommodation goes upmarket

The average price of student accommodation in the UK has jumped by nearly a third in the last six years, with campaigners warning of an affordability problem. The increase has been driven by the standard of accommodation shifting steadily upmarket,... View Article

CIH calls for suspension of right to buy

The leading body for professional staff working in the social housing sector has called on the Government to suspend the right to buy for council housing, to allow the stock of low-cost housing to be built up. Figures released by... View Article

Two sentenced following asbestos breach

A landlord and building contractor have been fined after large quantities of asbestos fibres were released from the demolition of a conservatory at a rented property. Birmingham Magistrates Court heard the landlord commissioned a building contractor to replace a conservatory... View Article

Hampshire HA house destroyed in lethal gas explosion

A house owned by a housing association in the Hampshire town of Andover was destroyed in a gas explosion which also killed the resident, in the week between Christmas and New Year. Emergency services found the body of James Kirkby,... View Article

Jump in the number of dangerous gas appliances in our homes

The number of dangerous gas appliances in our homes has risen to hit a five-year high, reversing an earlier improving trend. Tenants are more at risk than owner-occupiers with 1,674 dangerous appliances reported in rental properties compared to 1,037 dangerous... View Article

Fireplace installers sentenced for unregistered gas work

Two self-employed fireplace installers have been sentenced after carrying out unregistered gas work. Greater Manchester Magistrates Court heard that Karl Welsh and James Allen installed new gas fires in three North West domestic properties, despite not being Gas Safe registered.... View Article

Company fined after asbestos materials released

A Glasgow based building contractor has been fined after an employee used a power saw to cut through a kitchen cupboard door, accidentally releasing asbestos materials. Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that between November and December 2015, City Building (Glasgow) LLP was... View Article

SBS delivers new energy efficiency scheme in Middlesbrough

In February, Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd began enabling works on a new social housing scheme in Redcar, in preparation for installing external wall insulation to 92 occupied homes. It is acting on behalf of Beyond Housing, following a successful... View Article

Landlords can now be sued for cold or damp homes under new laws

From 20 March, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act will make landlords more accountable for conditions in their properties. Landlords will have to make sure their properties meet certain standards at the beginning and throughout a tenancy. For the first time... View Article