Are your properties Fit for Habitation?

The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 ("the Act") came into force on 20 March 2019, amending the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The Act automatically applies to new tenancy agreements that are for a term of 7 years or less and applies to all periodic tenancies from 20 March 2020 ("the Commencement Date"). All landlords with properties let with tenancies must now comply.

Covid-19 and Gas Safety Checks: The Quarantine Quandary

The issue of Annual Gas Safety Checks can be a headache for landlords at the best of times. Problematic tenants either refusing entry, or being absent from their property altogether, can often make this simplest of tasks an almighty ordeal. But the arrival of a second invisible killer has left many social landlords with an additional question:

"What should I do if a self-isolating tenant cites Coronavirus as a reason to refuse entry to a Gas Safety Technician?"

Registered Providers - are E-signatures a valid option as a contingency for COVID-19?

For all working in Housing & Regeneration COVID-19 poses a concern not only for personal safety of family, friends, colleagues and partners but also for keeping Development Programmes running and 'on-target' and meeting Homes England's March deadlines. We are working with our clients to achieve such deadlines in these challenging times and so we explore in this article the legal and practical elements of utilising E-signatures for Registered Providers.

Coronavirus: Managing your Contracts and Costs

With the unprecedented measures being put in place by the government to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, RPs will be undoubtedly be considering the risks of contracts being unfulfilled.

This global pandemic is having a huge impact on organisations of all sizes and is outside the control of RPs. Performing parties are now seeking to rely upon 'Force Majeure' clauses in their contracts where they are unable to perform their obligations under the terms of a contract.

"Lightning Talk"

On 26th February 2020, we were asked to deliver a “Lightning Talk” at the National Police Chiefs Council and Association of Police & Crime Commissioners at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster. The Forbes-led Best Practice Partnership Network for West Yorkshire was one of only seven projects chosen from hundreds of nominations throughout the UK. This demonstrates the impact that we are making in helping to facilitate effective partnership working between Registered Housing Providers, Police, Fire, Local Authorities and Third Sector organisations when dealing with ASB and Safeguarding issues. Other regions, including Greater Manchester and the West Midlands have already expressed an interest in replicating this approach which is endorsed by the National Housing Federation, the CIH and the Northern Housing Consortium.

This talk was delivered by Darren Burton (Head of Housing Consultancy Services), Wendy Stevens (Research Manager – Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for West Yorkshire….sporting a flat cap in true Yorkshire tradition!) and the Police & Crime Commissioner himself, Mr. Mark Burns-Williamson.

For further information, please contact Darren Burton (Head of Housing Consultancy Services) via e-mail on Darren.Burton@forbessolicitors.co.uk or 07976 265555

AirBnB – Are you Breaching your Lease?

Long, long ago, our ancestors used to be able to do something that was known as ‘Going on Holiday’.

Historians now believe that this was a custom practiced by many, and involved crossing borders and staying in accommodation that was different from your usual home. These accommodations could be found on a website known as AirBnB.

As hard as it is to remember in a time of global pandemic, in weeks gone by AirBnb was the hot topic for many a landlord and housing lawyer. Perhaps the thinnest of silver linings to come out of the recent interruption to normal service is that it gives Landlords an opportunity to review their sub-letting policies in light of a number of recent cases surrounding the tourism behemoth.

Employment challenges faced by registered providers in the changing landscape of lockdown

The current virus pandemic has resulted in the implementation of unprecedented changes and restrictions all over the world.  All sections of society have been affected to varying degrees, and it is a confusing and challenging time for employers.  Employers that have been obliged to close their business have to address the possibility of redundancies, lay-off, furlough, along-side maintaining a skeleton staff where necessary.  For those in industries that need to continue to function, such as the housing sector, employers face different challenges.

Spotlight on...

Amelia Couper

Job Description

I currently work as a Trainee Paralegal in the Housing and Regeneration Department. I mainly work in plot sales and occasionally deal with re-sales.

I am currently training to deal with enquiries and learning more about the law on property which I am finding really interesting. I enjoy my job as I work with matters from our first instruction all the way to closing the files, so I learn the process of a plot sale from start to finish.

I am also currently studying my LPC and my Masters in Law at BPP University on a part time basis, with the aim to completing this in September 2021.

Describe yourself in three words

Conscientious, inquisitive and determined.

What do colleagues say are your best qualities?

My colleagues say that I am always willing to help, I am passionate and trustworthy.

Favourite holiday destination

I have been to Bali, which I visited to a few years ago and I really enjoyed the culture and the island as a whole. I would really like to travel to Thailand next and go to the Muay Thai camps which a few of my fellow Muay Thai friends and I are planning in the near future.