Promotion of 'Modern Methods of Construction' grows as the Government pledges its financial support

On 3 March 2021, the UK Budget was announced for the financial year 2021/2022. Included in this was the announcement that the Government intended to launch a Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) taskforce, backed by £10 million of seed funding. This announcement not only highlights the Government's commitment to the creation of MMC homes, but also the accelerated delivery of homes across the sector.

Home ownership now more attenable - as Stamp Duty Holiday Extension announced?

On 8th July 2020, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a temporary stamp duty holiday for properties in England and Northern Ireland that cut the rate of stamp duty to zero percent for all properties £500,000 or under until 31st March 2021.

Ban on evictions is extended - again!

The Public Health (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction) (England) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 were due to be in force until 31 March 2021. That has now been extended to 31 May 2021.

To recap, the Regulations ban most evictions unless the notice, writ or warrant of possession relates to an order for possession:

1. against trespassers where CPR 55.6 applies (persons unknown)
2. under section 84A Housing Act 1985 (absolute ground for ASB)
3. under Ground 2, 2A or 5 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 (secure tenancies)
4. under Ground 7A, 14, 14A or 17 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (assured tenancies)
5. under Case 2 of Schedule 15 to the Rent Act 1977 (protected or statutory tenancies)

Changes to the Right to Buy policy - does it go far enough?

The proposed changes to the Right to Buy (RTB) policy put forward by the housing sector a couple of years ago has been published by the government in recent weeks. While the changes are welcomed, experts in the housing sector are of the view that an opportunity has been missed to go even further.

Under the changes, councils will no longer have to use their receipts from council home sales before they are obliged to turn the cash over to central government.

Home Sweet Home: Exploring Bournville Village, the first planned and balanced community.

As schools break up for the Easter holidays this week - and chocolate filled weekends approach for many, this has got our team thinking about the contribution chocolatiers Cadbury have made to the housing sector… The chocolate box village of Bournville adopts a unique approach to development and affordable housing, attracting interest beyond its routes as host to one of the most renowned chocolate factories in the world.

Equal pay claims in the spotlight

The Supreme Court has today delivered its latest blow to Asda in the ongoing equal pay claim finding in favour of employees working in its retail stores against the retail giant in the latest interim stage appealed to the Supreme Court.

Upcoming Event

Housing Best Practice Partnership Network for West Yorkshire

The next meeting of The Housing Best Practice Partnership Network for West Yorkshire is taking place via zoom on 14th April, 1pm - 3pm, click here to book your place. 

The meeting will be chaired by Kate Jowett, Justice Advisor at the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner & former Superintendent with West Yorkshire Police.

We are keen to hear your  views regarding the challenges/barriers to partnership working in the region and welcome participation during the meeting.

The agenda is currently being finalised and will be sent out shortly so please let us know if there are any items that you would like to add for wider discussion.

Please feel free to share with colleagues or contacts at other RPs with properties in the West Yorkshire area.

The Best Practice Partnership Network is a joined up commitment to promote the role of Registered Housing Providers when dealing with ASB and Safeguarding issues which impact upon our communities throughout West Yorkshire.

The Network is a mechanism to -

• enable access to the right people from relevant agencies at the right time to make decisions
• share information safely and achieve faster, successful outcomes either by identifying support to sustain tenancies or case building to proceed with legal enforcement action.

As of 1 March we will centralising our post systems
Our new PO Box number is 686
and our DX is 17952
Please only use these numbers going forward.