New statutory guidance on the Best Value Duty – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has recently issued welcomed guidance on best value standards and interventions, following a consultation last summer, writes Olivia Carter.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 26th June 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Fitness for human habitation claims – what are they worth? – Local Government Lawyer

‘Rhiannon Moody examines a recent case where damages were awarded over a council property that was unfit for human habitation.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 28th June 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Planning, Environment and Property Newsletter – Summer 2024 Edition – 39 Essex Chambers

‘Welcome to the Summer 2024 edition of the 39 Essex Chambers’ Planning, Environment and Property newsletter. With the general election campaign underway and focusing more on national service than national planning policy frameworks, Paul Stinchcombe KC topically kicks off this edition by considering the grant of planning permission for 721 dwellings in Green Belt land and whether politics really plays that much part in the process.’

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39 Essex Chambers, 10th June 2024

Source: www.39essex.com

Different treatment for other boroughs – discriminatory policy – Nearly Legal

‘AK, R (On the Application Of) v Westminster City Council (2024) EWHC 769 (Admin). This was a judicial review of Westminster’s Allocation policy as it applied to ‘reciprocal transfers’ between another borough and Westminster.’

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Nearly Legal, 23rd June 2024

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Housing association defeats High Court claim for wrongful eviction – Local Government Lawyer

Posted June 20th, 2024 in evidence, housing, news, repossession by sally

‘A tenant who alleged wrongful eviction by Clarion Housing Association has lost a High Court action in which His Honour Judge Simpkiss said he could not rely on any evidence given by the claimant unless backed up by “some other solid evidence”.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th June 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge rejects housing claim brought by refugee against council and Home Secretary – Local Government Lawyer

‘A Sudanese refugee has failed in a High Court case brought against the London Borough of Haringey over whether he should have been found accommodation and against the Home Office over how it gives notice of the cessation of their asylum support.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th June 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Home Office’s failure to collect and monitor data on asylum accommodation for pregnant and new mothers held to be unlawful – Landmark Chambers

‘The High Court’s decision in DXK v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 579 (Admin) is a welcome addition to the growing body of case law concerning the ambit and application of asylum support duties. The Court’s findings on academic claims, standing, systemic challenges, and the public sector equality duty (“PSED”) will be of wider practical application in other public law contexts.’

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Landmark Chambers, 13th May 2024

Source: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk

Did you miss? Davies v Bridgend County Borough Council [2024] UKSC 15 – Gatehouse Chambers

‘The claim arose from the encroachment of Japanese knotweed from the appellant local authority’s (“LA”) land into the respondent’s garden. The respondent had purchased his property in 2004, after the encroachment of Japanese knotweed had begun. It was held that the LA could not be blamed for the encroachment at this time. An actionable tort of private nuisance however arose in 2013, when the local authority should have become aware of the risk of damage and loss of amenity to the respondent’s land as a result of information about Japanese knotweed which became publicly available at that time. The LA was held liable in private nuisance for having failed to prevent the encroachment between 2013 to 2018 when the LA implemented a reasonable and effective treatment programme.’

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Gatehouse Chambers, 28th May 2024

Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk

Risk and Harm: Remediation Orders Through the Lens of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System – Falcon Chambers

Posted June 13th, 2024 in building law, chambers articles, health & safety, housing, news, repairs by sally

‘Prior to the coming into force of the Building Safety Act 2022 (“the BSA 2022”), local authorities already had the ability to take enforcement action in respect of residential premises where there was a hazard in relation to fire by virtue of Part I, Chapter I of the Housing Act 2004 (“the HA 2004”). Now, local authorities are among a class of interested persons who may apply for remediation orders under section 123 of the BSA 2022. What does a comparison of the two remedies say about how the First-Tier Tribunal should exercise their discretion in respect of remediation orders?’

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Falcon Chambers, 13th May 2024

Source: www.falcon-chambers.com

A Medley of legal principles – more covenant firsts in Medley v Mackenzie – Gatehouse Chambers

Posted June 13th, 2024 in chambers articles, housing, news, planning, restrictive covenants by sally

‘It was only a few months ago that the Upper Tribunal handed down the decision in Kay v Cunningham [2023] UKUT 251 (LC). In that case (in which the writer appeared for the successful applicant) the Tribunal established a number of novel points in relation to modification and discharge of restrictive covenants under s.84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 (see the Brew on this here). On 8 May 2024, a differently constituted panel gave a decision in Medley v Mackenzie and others [2024] UKUT 112 (LC), which provides further guidance as to the Upper Tribunal’s approach to the discretion stage in s.84 applications.’

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Gatehouse Chambers, 28th May 2024

Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk

Suitability, reports in Family proceedings, and termination of existing accommodation – Nearly Legal

‘Querino v Cambridge City Council (Rev1) (2024) EWCA Civ 314. This was a second appeal to the court of appeal from a s.204 appeal of a decision on suitability of accommodation offered to Mr Querino in discharge of homeless duty.’

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Nearly Legal, 9th June 2024

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Homelessness eligibility and the Withdrawal Agreement – two (contradictory) appeals – Nearly Legal

‘C v Oldham Council: Hynek v LB Islington. Central London County Court 24 May 2024. These are two s.204 appeals which address the effect of the Withdrawal Agreement (The Agreement of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union,) on eligibility for housing assistance/homeless duties.’

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Nearly Legal, 9th June 2024

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Judge hands down ruling on effect of withdrawal agreement on homeless applicants who are former EU nationals – Local Government Lawyer

Posted June 5th, 2024 in brexit, homelessness, housing, immigration, local government, news by sally

‘A Slovakian national has won a case against the London Borough of Islington over whether his status under agreements between the UK and the European Union entitled him to homelessness support.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Asylum seekers report widespread abuse in Home Office accommodation – The Guardian

‘Hundreds of complaints about ill treatment from staff looking after asylum seekers in hotels and other accommodation have been lodged with the Home Office, a Guardian investigation has found.’

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The Guardian, 3rd June 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

Section 23 Care Act and a need for accommodation – Nearly Legal

‘Campbell, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Ealing (2024) EWCA Civ 540. This was an appeal from a judicial review of Ealing’s decision in May 2022 to end funding for Mr Campbell’s temporary bed and breakfast accommodation that had been provided by Social Services since 2016. Mr C had been placed in temporary accommodation in Ealing’s area by LB Hillingdon under Part VII Housing Act 1996. Hillingdon then apparently discharged duty. Ealing Social Services then took over funding the accommodation (and various subsequent temporary accommodation) on, they said, the basis that it was “exercising its statutory power under s.19(3) Care Act 2014 to provide care and support in the form of accommodation pending a needs assessment”.’

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Nearly Legal, 28th May 2024

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Angela Rayner cleared of criminal wrongdoing over sale of home – The Guardian

‘Angela Rayner has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over claims she avoided tax on the sale of a home, with the Labour deputy leader criticising what she called the “desperate tactics” of Conservative MPs who urged police to investigate.’

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The Guardian, 28th May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com

No-fault evictions bill now unlikely to pass – BBC News

‘The Conservatives’ promise to abolish no-fault evictions before the election will not happen, sources have told the BBC.’

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BBC News, 24th May 2024

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court dismisses judicial review against council after finding Bibby Stockholm barge lies outside area subject to planning control – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 24th, 2024 in asylum, housing, immigration, judicial review, local government, news, planning by sally

‘The High Court has dismissed a judicial review claim brought by a local resident of Portland, who contended that the area of the seabed above which the Bibby Stockholm barge is moored forms part of the “land” that is subject to planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA).’

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Local Government Lawyer, 23rd May 2024

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Sophie Phillips’ case comments on Birmingham City Council v Bravington [2023] EWCA Civ 308 – Park Square Barristers

Posted May 22nd, 2024 in appeals, chambers articles, housing, local government, news, repossession by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has recently held that local authorities are able to rely on section 233 of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the 1972 Act”) when serving a notice seeking possession under section 83ZA of the Housing Act 1985 (“the 1985 Act”). Service will be deemed valid even if the tenant does not receive the notice but where it has been found to be served in accordance with the aforementioned provisions.’

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Park Square Barristers, 2nd April 2024

Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk

Bailiff evictions of renting households at six-year high, says MoJ – The Guardian

‘Bailiffs are evicting more renting households than at any time in the last six years, the Ministry of Justice has said, as protesters chanted for rent controls outside the HQ of Britain’s biggest listed private landlord.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2024

Source: www.theguardian.com