Research Briefing
Housing conditions in the private rented sector (England)
This briefing paper covers private rented sector housing conditions. It explains the legislative framework and identifies some of the key issues with it.
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Research Briefing
Overcrowded housing (England)
This briefing paper explains the statutory overcrowding standard in England, efforts to update the standard, and Government approaches to tackling the problem.
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Research Briefing
Social rented housing (England): past trends and prospects
This briefing looks at social rented housing, barriers to development, and prospects for a “step change” in supply, including data on need and supply.
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Research Briefing
Extending home ownership: Government initiatives
This House of Commons Library Briefing Paper describes the specific Government initiatives which have been developed in order to assist first-time buyers into home ownership and, in some cases, to help existing owners who are seeking to move. The paper includes some comment on these schemes.
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Research Briefing
Housing options for serving and ex-military personnel
This paper outlines the housing options open to serving and ex-military personnel, it does not cover service accommodation provided by the Ministry of Defence.
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Research Briefing
A voluntary Right to Buy for housing association tenants in England
The 2015 Conservative Government committed to extend the Right to Buy to assured tenants of housing associations on a voluntary basis. The Conservative Party's 2019 Manifesto said the voluntary Right to Buy scheme would be maintained. No implementation date for full roll-out has been announced. A large regional pilot scheme in the Midlands was launched on 16 August 2018. An evaluation of the findings was published in February 2021. The Government has said that the impact of the pilot scheme will be assessed before decisions are made on the next steps. This paper provides background on the statutory Right to Buy and commentary on progress in developing and extending it to assured housing association tenants as a voluntary scheme.
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Research Briefing
Stimulating housing supply – Government initiatives (England)
This briefing paper summarises the main Government initiatives since 2015 aimed at increasing housing supply in England, aside from planning measures. The 2019 Government is continuing, and building on many of these initiatives.
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Research Briefing
Can private landlords refuse to let to Housing Benefit claimants?
This briefing paper considers evidence of private landlords' reluctance to let to prospective tenants in receipt of Housing Benefit/Universal Credit. The paper looks at the reasons behind this reluctance and action being taken to challenge landlords/agents who operate a "no DSS" policy.
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Insight
Coronavirus: The return of evictions
This Insight explores the response from tenant and landlord bodies as the ban on hearing housing possession cases in courts in England and Wales ends.
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Insight
Coronavirus: Ban on evictions extended to 20 September
A ban on hearing housing possession cases in courts in England and Wales which was due to be lifted has been extended until 20 September 2020.
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Research Briefing
Discretionary Housing Payments
This briefing paper explains the funding position and considers evidence on how Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are allocated by local authorities. DHPs are applied to help with shortfalls between Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit and the rent due in certain circumstances.
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Research Briefing
Applying as homeless from an assured shorthold tenancy (England)
This paper considers how English local authorities deal with private tenants who have been served with a section 21 notice and are about to become homeless. A common response has been to tell tenants in this position to remain in situ until a court order/bailiff’s warrant is obtained. The paper considers changes introduced by the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 with effect from 3 April 2018.
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Research Briefing
Renters’ Reform Bill 2019-20
The Renters' Reform Bill 2019-20 was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 19 December 2019. No date is available for presentation of the Bill.
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Research Briefing
Implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016
The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (HPA 2016) received Royal Assent on 12 May 2016. This briefing paper outlines progress in implementing the Act's provisions. Several key measures in the Act will not be taken forward, such as 'pay to stay' and mandatory fixed-term tenancies for local authority landlords in England.
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Constituency Casework
Tenancy related fees
An overview of the ban on most letting fees that came into force in June 2019. Letting fee complaints are also explained.
Total results (page 2 of 10)