RTB

September 15th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

A House of Commons Library Brief, published on 14 September 2026, discusses RTB in England.

 

EMPTY HOMES

September 15th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

A House of Lords Briefing Paper published on 14 September 2026 examines empty homes in England.

 

HOMELESSNESS

July 20th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

R ( GRIFFITHS-FOWELL ) v BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL ( 2026 ) EWCA 920 holds at para 109 that Section 193(6)(d) of the HOUSING ACT 1966 applies to a case where a person voluntarily ceases to occupy as his only or principal home accommodation which has been made available to him in accordance with Section 102, that is accommodation which is “ suitable “ for him. If the accommodation is UNSUITABLE then it has not been made available in accordance with Section 206 and the duty under Section 193 ( 2 ) is not discharged by virtue of Section 193 ( 6 ) ( d ).

 

SELECTIVE LICENSING

July 16th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

R ( Howard de Walden Estates Ltd ) v Westminster City Council( 2026 ) EWHC 1731 ( Admin ) holds that designating an area for selective licensing under SECTION 80 of the HOUSING ACT 2004 by reference to ward boundaries was lawful. Every property in a designated area does not have to be inspected or benefit from improvement. It is sufficient that a significant number of properties be inspected and general housing conditions in the area as a whole be improved.

 

SOCIAL HOUSING

June 1st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

The SOCIAL HOUSING BILL aims  (1) to protect social housing stock, in particular by reforms to RIGHT TO BUY, and (2) to support social housing tenants who are VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

 

 

ALLOCATION

June 1st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

R ( Freedom from Torture) v SSHD (2026) EWHC 1278 ( Admin) holds that SSHD acted unlawfully by amending her allocation of ASYLUM ACCOMMODATION Policy without CONSULTING specialist Charities supporting SURVIVORS OF TORTURE & TRAFFICKING, contrary to established PRACTICE, and in breach of the PSED and the Tameside duty of inquiry.

 

LEGISLATION

May 22nd, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

A SOCIAL HOUSING BILL was introduced on 14 May 2026. Part 1 relates to RIGHT TO BUY, and Part 2 to protection of tenants from domestic abuse.

 

SOCIAL HOUSING : PERSONAL PLAN

May 21st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

A LHA’s Personal Plan under Part 7 of HA 1996 for a HOMELESS applicant should NOT contain steps relating to the ALLOCATION of social housing under Part 7 of the Act. So held in R (AA) v WALTHAM FOREST LBC (2026) EWCA Civ 626.

 

HOUSING BENEFIT

May 21st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

CLO v BOLSOVER DC ( 2026 ) UKUT 166 (AAC) holds that when considering whether a payment falls within Regulation 12(1) of the Housing Benefit regulations 2006 there is NO MATERIAL DISTINCTION between payments made between TENANTS IN COMMON and payments between joint tenants.

 

SOCIAL HOUSING : PERSONAL PLAN

May 21st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

A LHA’s Personal Plan under Part 7 of HA 1996 for a HOMELESS applicant should NOT contain steps relating to the ALLOCATION of social housing under Part 7 of the Act.