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.
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Research Briefing
Under-occupying social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement
This Briefing Paper provides information on which claimants are affected by the reduction in Housing Benefit/housing element of Universal Credit when under-occupying a social rented home. The policy is often referred to as 'the removal of the Spare Room Subsidy' or the 'bedroom tax'. The benefit reduction has been in place since 1 April 2013. The paper has been updated to include some of the more recent legal challenges to the under-occupation deduction.
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Research Briefing
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) England and Wales
This briefing paper sets out the legal framework in England and Wales for controlling standards in HMOs. It considers the powers available to local authorities to carry out enforcement work.
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Research Briefing
Right to Rent: private landlords’ duty to carry out immigration status checks
This briefing paper provides an overview of Right to Rent checks which must be carried out by private landlords/agents in England. The checks were introduced by the Immigration Act 2014. Breaches may, in some circumstances, amount to a criminal offence after changes introduced by the Immigration Act 2016 on 1 December 2016. The checks are controversial and have been subject to legal challenge.
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Research Briefing
Anti-social neighbours living in private housing (England)
This briefing paper outlines the legal position and potential remedies available where people find themselves living next door to tenants of private landlords or owner-occupiers who exhibit anti-social behaviour (ASB). The briefing focuses on the legal position in England.
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Research Briefing
Anti-social behaviour in social housing (England)
This briefing paper provides an overview of the remedies available to social landlords to deal with tenants who exhibit anti-social behaviour. The paper focuses on England but some of the same legislation applies in Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under different legislative regimes. The Home Office updated guidance for frontline professionals dealing with ASB in August 2019.
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Research Briefing
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
The HHSRS is a risk based assessment tool which is used by environmental health officers to assess the risk (the likelihood and severity) of a hazard in residential housing to the health and safety of occupants or visitors. The Government commissioned a review of the HHSRS at the end of 2018. On 11 July 2019, the outcome of this scoping exercise was announced - there is an intention to carry out further work to update the system and make it easier to understand. This paper provides an overview of the HHSRS and considers some reviews and reports on its operation.
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Research Briefing
Leaseholders in social housing: paying for major works (England)
An explanation of the assistance available to assist long leaseholders of social landlords in paying for major works. In August 2014 the Coalition Government introduced a cap on the amount that can be recovered from these long leaseholders where the work has been carried out with funding from central Government. The cap has been referred to as "Florrie's law." The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has recommended the introduction of a Code of Practice for social landlords.
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Debate Pack
Estimates Day debate: Spending of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
There will be an Estimates Day debate in the House of Commons Chamber on 2 July 2019 on the spending of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The debate will be opened by Layla Moran MP.
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Debate Pack
General Debate on Social Housing
On 13 June 2019 there will be a general debate on social housing. This debate will take place in the main chamber.
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Research Briefing
Comparing private rented sector policies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
This briefing paper provides a summary of the different approaches adopted by the Governments in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in regard to some key areas of private rented sector policy. It has been updated to include the announcement on 15 April 2019 on 'no fault' evictions.
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Housing: Changes in the private rented sector
How is the increasing size of the private rented sector affecting UK Government policy? How are private landlords and letting agents regulated? How secure are private tenants in their housing? What are the main aspects of the debate around affordability and rent control? And how are private rented sector policies affecting Government housing policies more broadly?
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Debate Pack
General debate: Housing
There will be a General Debate on the subject of housing on 9 April 2019. This landing page provides links to a selection of relevant Library papers.
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Research Briefing
Selective licensing of private landlords (England & Wales)
This briefing paper explains the history and operation of selective licensing schemes for private rented properties since local authorities in England and Wales acquired the power to introduce them in April 2006. The Government is currently conducting an independent review of selective licensing with a report due in spring 2019.
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Research Briefing
Rent setting: social housing (England)
This briefing paper explains key policy developments in relation to setting social housing rent levels in England since 2002. It covers recent policy developments including the requirement on social landlords to reduce rents by 1% in each year for four years from April 2016 and the rent setting policy which will apply from 2020.
Total results (page 3 of 10)