Housing and Community
Charting the housing shortage and the challenges of the private rented sector.
Modern slavery ‘rising threat to our communities’
Council referrals for modern day slavery have increased by 70% in the last year, according to the latest National Crime Agency statistics.
Norwich housing standards boosted thanks to EH team
A plan to improve the quality of private rental accommodation has been signed off by Norwich City Council.
Supreme court test over woman made homeless after choosing ‘food over rent’
Case hinges on whether woman should have used non-housing benefits to cover rent shortfall.
Disabled tenants allowed to alter homes
Landmark case means landlords must permit changes that are reasonable and necessary.
Councils given rogue landlord funds
More than 50 councils across England will receive almost £2.4 million to crack down on rogue landlords.
Licensing does improve housing standards
Selective licensing schemes improve housing conditions and can reduce anti-social behaviour, according to a report from CIEH and Chartered Institute of Housing.
EHPs sought for Grenfell inspection team
A long-awaited taskforce to help local authorities identify and remove combustible cladding similar to that used on the Grenfell tower is finally being set up.
Tenants to gain powers as Buck’s homes bill becomes law
Standards of residential accommodation should be boosted as the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 has passed into legislation.
Councils defend landlord prosecution rates
Local authorities have hit back at ‘nonsense’ claims that housing licensing schemes don’t improve standards and simply penalise good landlords.
