News

The HCA has this week published two explanatory documents relating to the implementation of the deregulation measures set out in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 which will come into force on 6th April 2017 (D Day).

The Social Housing Rents (Exceptions & Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 come into force between 1 March and 6 April 2017.

On 2nd February 2017 the Court of Appeal considered the approach to be taken when determining whether costs had been reasonably incurred when considering the amount of service charge payable under section 19 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Importantly they gave particular consideration to the approach to be taken when considering costs relating to improvements as opposed to repairs.

Introduced as ‘a bold, radical vision for housing in this country’, the Housing White Paper ‘Fixing our broken housing market’ was published earlier today.

Devonshires and Clifford Chance have advised London & Quadrant (L&Q) on its acquisition of Gallagher Estates, in a deal worth approximately £505m.

Devonshires has advised Your Housing Group (YHG) on a £2.5 bn joint venture, which aims to deliver 25,000 low-carbon modular homes by 2022.

Wellingborough Homes, a not-for-profit housing association serving Wellingborough and the wider community, has entered into a Development Agreement with BDW Trading Limited for the development and acquisition of 84 Affordable Housing Units. This new development will help Wellingborough Homes fulfil its mission of creating neighbourhoods that are desirable, well integrated, environmentally friendly, safe and well managed.

Over the next week or so, three words – “Happy New Year !“ – shall be uttered to colleagues as normal business resumes following the Yuletide break. It seems like it was only yesterday that the same words were used as we waved goodbye to 2015 and said hello 2016.

Landlords and ASB practitioners face an additional hurdle when the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour are not their direct tenants or leaseholders but unauthorised occupiers either subletting or staying under licence or verbal agreement. The difficulty is that there is no direct relationship with the subtenant or unauthorised occupier so the usual remedies available for breach of contract are not available.

The Autumn Statement revealed five key themes for the social housing sector and while uncertainty inevitably remains, registered providers (RPs) must take advantage of the potential opportunities.

Devonshires are delighted to have completed the Clarion merger.

As of 1st December 2016, the Immigration Act 2014 will be amended by Sections 39 to 41 of the Immigration Act 2016. The provisions apply to private sector landlords and to social landlords.