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Landlord Letting Information
Includes: government consultations, consultation responses etc
Changes to possession rules
26 July, 2019
Changes to possession rules and their impact on landlords and tenants
House values: the UK's best and worst regions for price growth
26 July, 2019
The average property increased in value by £2,046 during the first half of 2019, led by gains in the West Midlands
Jenrick named new Housing Secretary
25 July, 2019
Robert Jenrick has been named the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Property remains a good 'long-term investment'
25 July, 2019
Although new capital gains tax rules could cost some landlords thousands of pounds when they sell up, property is still a relatively safe long term investment
Landlord ordered to pay more than £5k for overcrowded property in Nottingham
25 July, 2019
A private landlord in Nottingham has appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to breaching a prohibition order
'Vilified' McVey moves into housing
25 July, 2019
Her "boss" will be a 37-year-old former corporate lawyer and Christie's director fresh from the Treasury
Man spent housing benefit on 'other things' - then demanded compensation from council
25 July, 2019
Watchdog said council failed over payments notification but ruled resident was responsible for his own finances
UK Build to Rent Market Update
25 July, 2019
The Build to Rent (BTR) sector has performed strongly during the second quarter of 2019
Robert Jenrick: Who is the new Housing Secretary?
25 July, 2019
Robert Jenrick MP has been named as the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) replacing James Brokenshire who has left the position
Calls for councils to help people move home in later life
25 July, 2019
Report also outlines the need for national government to prioritise accessible housebuilding and reinstall funding for a "national advice service"
Redress scheme warning for estate and letting agents
25 July, 2019
Following a recent tribunal where an agency was not signed up to a redress scheme for its property management work, only its letting agency work, all estate and letting agents are being urged to check they are signed up with an approved redress scheme that covers the full remit of their work
Johnson doesn't see housing in 'vision' for future UK
25 July, 2019
No direct reference to housing as a policy priority in first Commons statement from new PM
ALMO under review following Home Standard breach
24 July, 2019
A council in the North East has placed its ALMO under review after the regulator identified serious fire, asbestos and electrical safety failings among its housing stock
Government 'squanders' once-in-a-generation chance to ease housing crisis
24 July, 2019
Key Commons committee says it is unacceptable MHCLG pays so little attention to how the release of public land could deliver social housing
Call of the Week-responsibility for maintaining gardens
24 July, 2019
Summer is here and with that there are bound to be a plethora of barbeques, swimming pools and sun-loungers filling the gardens up and down the country
Universal Credit pilot to launch
24 July, 2019
Today, regulations will come into force to enable the delivery of a Universal Credit migration pilot based in Harrogate
National Housing Federation response to new Conservative Party leader
24 July, 2019
We congratulate Boris Johnson MP on his election as leader of the Conservative Party
Company landlords now own almost 650,000 rental properties
24 July, 2019
Some 12% of properties in the private rented sector are now owned by a company as tax changes make private landlords feel the pinch
DWP admits it's interviewed 1,400 benefit claimants under caution over Universal Credit scam
24 July, 2019
A scam ensnared supposedly innocent benefit claimants - but now it emerges they have been given a vigorous assessment by the DWP
Rudd stresses work with PRS over application of Local Housing Allowance
24 July, 2019
Work and Pensions Secretary says reassessment of LHA should be a priority with benefits freeze thawed
Redcar and Cleveland Council to axe £150k chief exec job
24 July, 2019
A council is to scrap its £150,000 chief executive role as part of cost-cutting measures
Housing sector calls on Johnson to step up development investment and fix Universal Credit
24 July, 2019
Housing bodies and sector figures have reacted to the imminent appointment of Boris Johnson as the new prime minister
Universal Credit among worst examples of welfare reform 'in the history of humankind
23 July, 2019
Commons Work and Pensions Committee says Universal Credit application process should come with a health warning
Boris to be PM, so what can we expect on housing?
23 July, 2019
Boris Johnson will become the UK's next Prime Minister, so what does this mean for housing - and in particular the private rented sector?
Universal credit: Disabled people to get backdated benefit payments
23 July, 2019
More than 13,000 disabled people are to receive backdated benefit payments after the government accepted a court ruling over universal credit
Poor universal credit advice costs claimants thousands, MPs say
23 July, 2019
DWP accused of failing to help those who unnecessarily signed up for the benefit
Revealed: the safest BTL investment areas based on crime levels and rental yields
23 July, 2019
Rental yields tend to increase in areas with higher crime rates, according to new research
Use of Discretionary Housing Payments
23 July, 2019
Analysis of end of year returns from Local Authorities
How to solve the United Kingdom's housing crisis
23 July, 2019
IEA Current Controversies papers are designed to promote discussion of economic issues and the role of markets in solving economic and social problems
Report urges Stamp Duty abolishment to help thousands up property ladder
23 July, 2019
The move is said to save a normal family buying an average priced home of £228,000 around £2,080 on their purchase
Inequality and 'affordable' housing
23 July, 2019
How university students have a role to play in the shortage of affordable housing
Edinburgh calls for short-term lets licensing regime
23 July, 2019
The City of Edinburgh Council has set out its case for a licensing regime to be introduced for properties being rented out for more than 28 days in a calendar year
Renters may get access to rogue landlord database
22 July, 2019
A database of rogue landlords would be opened up to prospective tenants under government plans
DWP urged to option direct Universal Credit payments to landlords
22 July, 2019
Parliamentary report also says direct payment should be by default where there is a history of rent arrears or debt
Regulator urges providers to address accountability to tenants
22 July, 2019
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has urged social housing providers to consider how accountable they are to tenants, as it published its Consumer Regulation Review today
Food banks scramble to stop a million children going hungry over holidays
22 July, 2019
More families turn to food parcels to make up for loss of free school meals, extra childcare costs and benefit payment delays
West Midlands Mayor goes 'blue on blue' to battle homelessness
22 July, 2019
Tory West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has gone 'blue on blue' to back an urgent rethink part of the benefits system to tackle homelessness
New Universal Credit report: MPs back RLA suggestions
22 July, 2019
Plans to improve the Universal Credit system by ending the benefits freeze and promoting direct payments to landlords have been put forward by a cross-party group of MPs
The Section 21 Consultation
22 July, 2019
Over the weekend the Government published a consultation on plans to axe Section 21-so called 'no fault' repossessions in the private rented sector
High demand for rental homes following introduction of the tenant fee ban
22 July, 2019
There has been a significant rise in tenant demand in recent weeks after the change to tenant fees came in on 1st June, new figures show
Industry rages against Labour's
22 July, 2019
Calls by Labour's London Mayor Sadiq Khan to secure powers to implement private sector rent controls are facing increasing opposition
New homeless families outnumber new social homes by 8 to 1
22 July, 2019
Analysis of the latest homelessness statistics by the National Housing Federation has found that for every one new social home built in England, eight families are accepted as homeless by their local council
LIN member report June 2019 - The Tenant Fees Act
19 June, 2019
LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
31% of ALMO Right to Buy stock not replaced in 2018
05 April, 2019
The latest National Federation of ALMOs annual report has shown the sector is still struggling with replacing stock sold through the Right to Buy
Two landlord in West Sussex lose appeal against CPNs
05 April, 2019
Two landlords who let substandard properties in Lancing and Southwick have had their appeals against Civil Penalty Notices (CPNs) rejected
TSB adds to its BTL mortgage range
05 April, 2019
TSB has launched new buy-to-let remortgage products within its intermediary range, with rates now starting from 1.59%
'It's going to be our little paradise': can co-ops solve the housing crisis?
05 April, 2019
For many people, bouncing between shoddy, overpriced house-shares is a fact of life. But there is a ready-made answer: the humble housing co-op
Fightback Begins: council's £1,200 licensing fee provokes backlash
05 April, 2019
One of the most pro-licensing local authorities in the country has extended its own scheme to include the entire centre of Bristol - but it's now seeing a backlash
Nearly one in seven Britons could live alone by 2039, study shows
05 April, 2019
ONS also says those already on own are less financially secure than couples without children
New strategy aims to increase supply of housing that's affordable
05 April, 2019
A new strategy to tackle South Cambridgeshire's housing challenges has been approved by the District Council - with an emphasis on providing homes that are affordable for local workers
Major affordable housing projects announced for London
05 April, 2019
The £63m transformation in the heart of the borough's Alperton Housing Zone is expected to get underway this month
Study reveals threat of unregulated short-term lets to PRS
04 April, 2019
Analysis suggests that Airbnb alone has over 77,000 lets in Greater London
'Fleecehold' : Calls to regulate homeowner charges
04 April, 2019
The amount of money homeowners can be charged for maintenance work by housing developers should be regulated by the Welsh Government, an AM has said
Landlord ordered to pay £29,000 for harassing two tenants out of their homes
04 April, 2019
A private landlord in Telford has been ordered to pay £29,000 in costs and fines for harassing two tenants out of their properties
Rental fraud warning after shocking scam attempts
04 April, 2019
Prospective tenants are being warned about a fraud scam that cons people into paying an advance fee to rent a property
TDS is latest to produce tools to help agents through Fees Ban
04 April, 2019
Tenancy Deposit Scheme is the latest player in the private rental sector to launch online tools to help letting agents cope with the Fees Ban
Peers call for tax relief for rental home improvements
04 April, 2019
Landlords are welcoming calls today by a parliamentary committee for tax incentives for private landlords to improve the quality of their property
Councils say homelessness act not adequately funded
04 April, 2019
Up to 67% of councils feel they lack the funding to meet new duties to tackle homelessness, analysis has found
UC creates 'systematic indebtedness' for new claimants
04 April, 2019
A SFHA survey reveals levels of arrears for tenants is much higher when they claim Universal Credit
Study found universal credit causing hardship a year and half ago
04 April, 2019
Joint DWP and HMRC report was released on Thursday but dated November 2017
Newark and Sherwood District Council's policy and finance committee to consider bringing council housing back in-house
04 April, 2019
THE company that manages 5,500 council homes across Newark and Sherwood could be axed and brought back in-house by its sole shareholder, the district council
The DWP claims it costs too much to confirm UC deaths
03 April, 2019
Commons correspondence has the department ducking behind "disproportionate cost" over death rates
Housing First gathers pace in Scottish cities
03 April, 2019
Scotland could be free from most visible, acute forms of homelessness "within three years"
For-profit housing association blocked from NHF membership
03 April, 2019
A for-profit housing association has been told it cannot be a member of the National Housing Federation
Northampton family will withhold rent until housing association helps with black mould in their house
03 April, 2019
After trying to treat the problem themselves the couple now really want the help of their housing association to get rid of the black mould in their house
Britain needs decent new council houses - not just musicals about them
03 April, 2019
A new production celebrates a famous Sheffield estate but glosses over dire levels of inequality and housing waiting lists
New landlord management platform to pay tenants to find their replacement
03 April, 2019
A new property management platform, which is launching soon, is looking for landlords to sign up and test its systems for free
Three million homes needed to end homelessness
03 April, 2019
A year ago, the government hailed the Homelessness Reduction Act as "the most ambitious legal reform in decades" - as it rolled out new duties on councils to prevent and relieve homelessness
Rogue landlords to stop exploiting students minister warns
03 April, 2019
In a speech to students, Universities Minister Chris Skidmore warns that landlords who fail to meet basic standards of living for student accommodation must face justice under new regulations
HB A7/2018
03 April, 2019
Adjudication circulars provide updates to the Housing Benefit guidance manual for local authority staff
Tenant fee ban - 10 top tips for letting agents
02 April, 2019
As part of ARLA Propertymark's Tenant Fees Tool Kit, we've put together 10 of our top tips for letting agents ahead of the Tenant Fees Act 2019 coming into force on 1 June
'Flippant' DWP minister apologises to Parliament
02 April, 2019
Justin Tomlinson admits "inadvertent" factual blunders made during a debate on the benefits freeze
Private sector hits out at 'arbitrary rent caps'
02 April, 2019
The government's "tsunami of legislation" also came under fire at the ARLA Propertymark conference
Horsham to set up affordable housing company
02 April, 2019
Horsham District Council looks set to join the ever-expanding list of local authorities with its own housing company
Council says landlords should "account for their tenants' behaviour"
02 April, 2019
A buy to let investor has been hit with a £4,000 fine plus costs of over £5,000 after failing to license a property in multiple occupation
Platform removes housing benefit lending restrictions
02 April, 2019
Platform has removed all letting conditions that restrict landlords letting to tenants who receive housing benefit
A good time to be a landlord in London as renters seek long-term tenancies
02 April, 2019
A growing number of renters in the capital are looking for longer-term tenancies as home ownership becomes increasingly out of reach for many Londoners
Call of the Week: Letting agents and court applications
02 April, 2019
This week we received a call from one of our members who is new to being a letting agent
Gas Safe Register responds to NLA concerns
02 April, 2019
Gas Safe Register's CEO, Jonathan Samuel, has responded to the National Landlords Association's concerns about gas safe engineers' lack of knowledge about new legislation
Almost half of tenants claim poor health due to condition of their home
01 April, 2019
Nearly half of tenants in the UK claim to have suffered health problems and injury as a direct result of conditions in their home
Client Money Protection now mandatory for letting agents in England
01 April, 2019
All letting agents in England must now be signed up to a Government-backed Client Money Protection scheme, or they could face a £30,000 penalty.
Households below average income: 1994/95 to 2017/18
01 April, 2019
Statistics on the number and percentage of people living in low income households for financial years 1994/95 to 2017/18.
Changes to MEES Regulations
01 April, 2019
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 have passed through Parliament and come into force on 1 April
New HMO Licensing Scheme in Northern Ireland from 1 April
01 April, 2019
On 1 April 2019, the Housing in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 comes into force and landlords must have a valid licence for each HMO they own
DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements
01 April, 2019
Universal Credit prepares claimants for the world of work in which 75% of employees are paid monthly
DWP does not record why claimant 'commitments' aren't accepted
01 April, 2019
Parliamentary questions also reveal contracted "health assessors" are subject to independent - not departmental - audit
Housing association completes first Right to Buy pilot sale
01 April, 2019
One of the UK's largest housing associations has completed its first Voluntary Right to Buy sale
DWP say working families on Universal Credit will get £630 extra from Saturday April 6
01 January, 2019
April 6 is the day to look out for when working families in the UK get a little bit extra money in their pockets
LIN member report July 2018 - The "Housing Court" - What Does This Mean For Landlords?
23 July, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Safety products for the elderly need to be updated
06 July, 2018
People are put off making home adaptations due to the stigma of unattractive products available
Disabled people could slip through net in universal credit move, says charity
06 July, 2018
Mind raises concerns that safeguards for vulnerable claimants will not be in place
Universal Credit: Complaints - and sticking to your guns
06 July, 2018
RLA trainer and Universal Credit expert Bill Irvine shares one of his latest cases
London Assembly agrees motion to scrap Section 21 notices
06 July, 2018
The London Assembly Members yesterday agreed a unanimous motion calling on the Mayor of London to back a campaign to abolish section 21 and to lobby the government for a change in the law
Rent collection service aims to offer landlords 'financial security'
06 July, 2018
Unpaid rent and rent arrears are the main reason for tenant evictions, according to Belvoir's Q1 rental index
Scrap the surcharge! Strong support for petition to repeal buy to let taxes
06 July, 2018
There has been strong support for an e-petition calling for the scrapping of the stamp duty surcharge on buy to let properties and the reintroduction of full mortgage interest relief for landlords
Awaiting Right to Buy replacements
06 July, 2018
Homes sold under the Right to Buy are simply not being replaced. Could the government's plans to partially lift the council debt cap bring relief?
June 2018:Universal Credit landlord engagement newsletter
06 July, 2018
We regularly update our information for landlords, read the up-to-date version of the Universal Credit & Rented Sector Housing Guide and use the latest UC47 form to request payment of rent from tenant's Universal credit
Two Letting Agents Banned by Property Ombudsman
06 July, 2018
The Property Ombudsman has booted two letting agents out of the redress scheme
Calls to end no-fault evictions
05 July, 2018
London Assembly looks to Sadiq Khan to back the campaign.
CIH Northern Ireland: Right to Buy a 'double edged sword'
05 July, 2018
Early findings from a project looking to shape the future of housing in Northern Ireland have been released
Wales fee ban will lead to increased costs
05 July, 2018
Banning fees in Wales will drive up costs and change the way landlords interact with letting agents, RLA Director for Wales Douglas Haig told the Senedd today
Social care system 'seizing up' under strain
05 July, 2018
Northern Ireland's social care system could seize up unless it receives more funding, the chief social worker has warned
Universal Credit: Labour says Esther McVey should resign
05 July, 2018
Esther McVey has faced calls to quit over "inadvertently misleading" the Commons about the official NAO spending watchdog's view of Universal Credit
Government slammed for failing to act on report that suggests improvements to PRS
05 July, 2018
The government has been criticised for continuing to drag its heels over taking on key recommendations made in a recent report designed to improve standards in the private rented sector
Less than four weeks until introduction of selective licensing in Nottingham
05 July, 2018
BTL landlords in Nottingham will soon face tougher rules with new rental licensing conditions set to be introduced in the city
British government imposes collective punishment by evicting families from public housing
05 July, 2018
The British government intends to roll out nationally a scheme piloted in north London, whereby the families of gang members and violent criminals are evicted from their public housing residences
Special administration regime for English housing associations comes into force
05 July, 2018
A new special administration regime which allows the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) to deal with insolvent housing associations will come into force today
HB Direct newsletters: 2018
04 July, 2018
These HB Direct newsletters for local authority staff provide information that affects Housing Benefit.
Minister apologises over 'inadvertently misleading' parliament
04 July, 2018
Esther McVey apologises for her comments over Universal Credit
Right to Rent: Windrush guidance for landlords
04 July, 2018
Landlords renting to Windrush immigrants, who have a right to live in the UK, but may not have the documents to prove it, can apply for a Positive Right to Rent Notice (PRRN).
RLA gives evidence to HCLG committee on Hackitt report
04 July, 2018
The Hackitt report into building regulations should include more information about the lifetime management of buildings once occupied, RLA Policy Manager John Stewart told a committee of MPs this week
Landlord couple want to see letting agent banned over unpaid rent
04 July, 2018
A couple who claim they are owed thousands of pounds in unpaid rent have called for a ban on the letting agency accused of withholding the money
Smoke alarm 'would have saved Huddersfield fire-death boys
04 July, 2018
A house fire which killed two boys was "eminently avoidable", had the letting agent provided smoke alarms, a court has heard
Risks to children 'the biggest social justice challenge of our time
04 July, 2018
Children's commissioner seeks more help for young people in vulnerable family situations
Northern Ireland student wins landmark case against Belfast letting agent
04 July, 2018
A landmark court ruling has closed a loophole for letting agents to levy extra charges on tenants, it was claimed today
Long tenancies won't stop landlords wanting a CV, 12 months' rent - or a date
04 July, 2018
Proposed three-year agreements do little to change oppressive demands from landlords charging extortionate rents
More than one in ten privately-rented homes are unfit to live in
03 July, 2018
Shocking figures reveal homes with problems such as mould, damp, a faulty boiler or freezing cold in winter
How Labour Will Act On Unhealthy Homes
03 July, 2018
In this NHS anniversary year, we are committing Labour to new action to rekindle Bevan's vision and end the scourge of substandard homes
Regulator highlights importance of providing good quality, accessible information on homelessness services
03 July, 2018
A report highlighting the importance of easy access to homelessness services information for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness has been published by the Scottish Housing Regulator.
New research exposes factors that lead to people returning to sleeping rough
03 July, 2018
Today, St Mungo's publishes peer led research outlining reasons why some people can find themselves sleeping rough after time away the streets.
Japanese Knotweed: a warning
03 July, 2018
Landlords are being warned to keep a close eye on the gardens of their rental homes after it was revealed homeowners will be able to sue their neighbours for damages if Japanese Knotweed grows onto their land.
National Housing Federation response to Homes England deals with housing associations
03 July, 2018
Homes England has agreed first wave of strategic partnerships to ramp up building of affordable homes. These include deals with eight housing associations.
Families hit by crippling cost of living need a third more income to make ends meet
03 July, 2018
Our latest research reveals how low-income families need a third more disposable income than a decade ago to make ends meet
Shock results as 30 lettings agencies probed by undercover teams
03 July, 2018
A consumer group which conducted 30 undercover viewings in five different UK cities claims letting agents are showing potential tenants around mouldy properties and not informing them about important safety details.
London first-time buyers put down £19k extra per bedroom
03 July, 2018
New report makes case for shared ownership in the capital as an FTB option.
'Stock up on tins' - Universal Credit is on its way to Carlisle and Barrow
03 July, 2018
The switch to the controversial government benefit is on the way for thousands of residents
Longer-term tenancy plans proposed
02 July, 2018
Compulsory three-year contracts would give more protection to renters.
Labour says government plans to provide renters with greater stability are 'meaningless'
02 July, 2018
'Any fresh help for renters is welcome but this latest promise is meaningless if landlords can still force tenants out by hiking up the rent'
More than 600 'affordable homes' built in Merseyside were NOT affordable
02 July, 2018
New data shows many houses do not meet the guidelines to be classed as affordable
Sofa-Surfing and Sleeping on Trains: The Rise Of 'Hidden Homelessness' And How Single Mothers Are Worst Hit
02 July, 2018
47% of people registered homeless are single mums.
Report criticises new PIP benefits payment system
02 July, 2018
A Stormont department has been urged to start recording assessments of those applying for the Personal Independence Payment after a report criticised the current process.
New report highlights benefits of short-term rentals in Scotland
02 July, 2018
Scotland's short-term rental sector generates £723 million of economic activity every year, a new report has claimed.
Homes for social rent 'have to be' part of new national planning policy
02 July, 2018
Call from LGA comes as the number of such homes tips towards historic low.
Top tips for landlords for clearing out at end of tenancy
02 July, 2018
It's time for many students up and down the country to clear-out their properties, so now is a good time to make sure they know how to correctly clear out their properties.
More tenants faced rent rises in May
02 July, 2018
There was an increase in the number of tenants in the private rented sector experiencing a rent increase in May compared with a month earlier at a time when supply of rented homes on offer is rising.
Landlords welcome tax incentives for longer tenancies
02 July, 2018
Landlords are today welcoming proposals being considered by the Government to provide financial incentives for those offering longer tenancies.
Deprived areas 'have five times more fast food outlets'
29 June, 2018
Deprived areas such as Blackpool and parts of Manchester and Liverpool have five times more fast food outlets than affluent areas, a survey suggests.
'Two-child policy' cuts benefits of more than 70,000 families
29 June, 2018
Campaigners warn poverty will rise as low-income families lose financial support
Heatwave leaves homeless 'fighting' over water
29 June, 2018
How do the homeless cope with a heatwave? While many of us are basking in the summer sun, many people on the streets face dehydration, heat exhaustion and severe sunburn, say charities.
Report salutes housing support provided by Armed Forces charities
29 June, 2018
Reasearch reveals the extent of a home front providing £40m of housing support to over 11,000 people a year
Scrap the new homes tax argue landlords
29 June, 2018
Ministers need to scrap the tax on new homes which is punishing those in need of a home to rent, the UK's leading landlord body argues
Government policy forced 190 women to prove they were raped in order to get child benefits, figures show
29 June, 2018
Tens of thousands of low income families miss out on child benefits under 'poverty-producing' measure, while mothers forced to disclose rape in order to put food on the table
'Silver splitters' fuel rising homelessness
28 June, 2018
Number of over-60s presenting as homeless at a 10-year high
English councils warn 'worst is yet to come' on cuts
28 June, 2018
Authorities risk going bust unless steps are taken to shore up budgets, ministers told
Call of the week: Section 21 documents
28 June, 2018
This week, a landlord called us with a question about serving a Section 21 notice and when he needed to serve the documents on his renewal tenancy.
Understanding your citizens to beat the Universal Credit challenge
28 June, 2018
Understanding your citizens to beat the Universal Credit challenge
Housing 2018: Green paper 'to give regulator teeth'
28 June, 2018
Housing minister Dominic Raab says regulator will gain powers in the Social Housing Green Paper and stresses government commitment to Right to Buy
New government lettings documents include updated 'How To Rent'
28 June, 2018
Tenant, landlords and buy to let investors are the targets for new online rental guides
Tougher electrical safety standards needed to protect private tenants
28 June, 2018
Tougher electrical safety standards for rented properties north of the border are needed to protect private tenants
Social care in Wales 'could be funded by age-related tax'
28 June, 2018
An income tax increase of between 1% and 3% could be used to fund elderly social care in Wales, according to an independent report.
Tories forced to rewrite obscure benefits law after court finds it breaches human rights
28 June, 2018
The DWP admitted a "small group" of jobseekers had been denied a fair hearing when they tried to appeal against a benefit sanction
Online guides will help renters and leaseholders to know their rights
27 June, 2018
New 'how to' guides include checklists for new and existing tenants, landlords and letting agents
Child homelessness in England at highest level since 2007
27 June, 2018
123,130 children were in temporary accommodation in first quarter of 2018 - an increase of nearly 80% since 2011
Benefit or burden? The cities trying out universal basic income
27 June, 2018
Cities around the world are experimenting with basic income schemes. The benefits for residents seem obvious - but what's in it for the cities?
Domestic abuse survivors and children sleeping rough' survey finds
27 June, 2018
Women unable to get refuge place also having to sofa-surf or stay with abuser
Universal Credit: In Work Progression Randomised Control Trial
27 June, 2018
Information about Universal Credit trials and pilots
Government publishes new and updated 'how to' guides
27 June, 2018
The Government has today (Tuesday 26th June) published new and updated information to help landlords and tenants who live and work in private rented housing.
Arhag needs landlords for Syrian refugees
26 June, 2018
Specialist association offering incentives including carrying out and funding repairs and guaranteed monthly rental income for 3-5 years
PRA changes will affect landlords' ability to provide 'quality affordable housing'
25 June, 2018
Mortgage brokers and lenders have been slammed by the National Landlords Association (NLA) for failing to do enough to communicate changes by the Prudential Regulation Authority to landlords.
Over 10 years to save for a deposit as first-time buyers forced to rent for longer
25 June, 2018
Many would-be first-time buyers are being forced to rent longer despite a slowdown in house prices as new figures reveal that it takes an average of more than 10 years to save for a 15% deposit.
Tax breaks for landlords price younger buyers out of housing market
25 June, 2018
Think tank says it's time to get community-led development on track.
Social housing is a vanishing option for families who cannot afford to buy
25 June, 2018
Depleted stock forces young adults to pay private rents or live with their parents
Call for more council homes in Stockton to tackle homeless problem
25 June, 2018
Middlesbrough Council has already said it will consider building houses to tackle a shortage of affordable homes
New shocking report reveals more families on breadline, benefits shambles, Homelessness rising and foodbank crisis
25 June, 2018
Rising levels of working and unemployed poverty, the housing crisis, cuts to public services, insecure work and hunger
A dozen councils to receive social care innovation funding
25 June, 2018
A dozen councils to receive social care innovation funding Twelve councils have been awarded funding to explore how technology can improve social care services.
Onward report riddled with errors
25 June, 2018
A new think tank is fundamentally wrong in its analysis of private rented housing - and the number of buy-to-let mortgages is falling, not rising.
Brent Council aims to 'foster good relationships with private landlords'
25 June, 2018
Brent Council insists that it wants to build better relationships with private landlords after successfully winning close to 150 prosecution cases against rogue landlords' helping to raise more than £1m in fines.
Here's ARLA's guide through the red tape for accidental landlords
25 June, 2018
The Association of Residential Letting Agents has provided a check-list for so-called accidental landlords.
Online Universal Credit bid 'awful'
22 June, 2018
A woman unable to apply for Universal Credit online said she was left having to ask for food parcels.
Tenant jailed for illegally subletting house
22 June, 2018
A private tenant occupying a three-bedroom house in north-west London has been jailed after he was caught illegally subletting the property to 35 men.
Lenders and brokers 'too quiet' over buy to let changes
22 June, 2018
NLA says just 8% of landlords said their lender had been in touch about the changes, with 16% contacted by their broker
Government to consult on RLA housing court plan
22 June, 2018
Plans to establish a new housing court are moving forward, with a Government consultation into plans to be held later this year
Sheffield's 'danger flats' risk to tenants' lives
22 June, 2018
Tenants in a part of Sheffield are living in such bad conditions their lives are being put at risk, a council report has warned
New research reveals rental comparison between benefit recipients and families
21 June, 2018
Welfare 'reform' making rental payments from recipients more difficult for landlords to manage.
Rise in homelessness applications in Scotland reverses nine-year trend
21 June, 2018
The number of applications for homelessness status in Scotland has gone up for the first time nine years, according to official figures.
The cost of housing for low-income renters
21 June, 2018
The 'affordability' of housing is one of the most prominent domestic public policy issues of the day, and for good reason.
Social care faces a 'dangerous shortfall' of staff, government warned
21 June, 2018
More than 75% of people say they would not like to begin a career in social care, survey finds
Why tenants think their feedback is being ignored
21 June, 2018
The Social Housing Green Paper is set to redress the balance of power between residents and social landlords. Martin Hilditch investigates what tenants would like to happen next
JRF responds to IFS report on living standards
21 June, 2018
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) today responded to a new report on living standards conducted by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and funded by the JRF.
Universal Credit: Online ID demands delaying benefits
21 June, 2018
Demands for passports or driving licences to get new benefits have left some Welsh claimants making "degrading" requests for food to survive, it is being claimed.
Landlord fined for renting out bed in shed
21 June, 2018
A landlord has been fined ordered to pay £5,000 for allowing tenants to sleep in an outbuilding in Enfield, north London.
Government publishes new licensing changes in bid to protect tenants and announces review of selective licensing
21 June, 2018
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published new guidelines which aim to protect tenants from poor living conditions.
Families make 'good, reliable, and long-term tenants'
21 June, 2018
Properties rented to families take up the least amount of property management time when compared to other types of tenants, fresh research by the National Landlords Association (NLA) shows.
'Laudable' licensing changes stifling councils, landlords and tenants alike
20 June, 2018
ARLA Propertymark chief executive ramps up policy criticism as government announces latest PRS regulation.
Buck Bill passes Commons committee stage
20 June, 2018
Bill empowering tenants over unsafe homes inches closer towards statute.The Fitness for Human Bill has come through the committee stage of the Commons this morning
Scam Awareness Month: Top tips for landlords
20 June, 2018
This month is Scams Awareness Month, and the RLA is helping members to protect themselves against being the victim of a scam.
Government announces selective licensing review
20 June, 2018
The Government has announced a review into the use and effectiveness of selective licensing.
Universal Credit - landlords agree reform is needed
20 June, 2018
The RLA continues to call for the roll out of Universal Credit to be paused in the wake of a report by the National Audit Office.
Momentum improves as there is a rise in both 'to let' and 'let' properties
20 June, 2018
Following a slowdown in rental market activity in April, new letting data from the Agency Express Property Activity Index has revealed nationwide increases in both 'to let' and 'let' properties.
Number of people winning PIP benefit appeals hits all-time high - and Tories are told to get a grip
20 June, 2018
Some 14,805 people (71%) had their assessment for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) overturned by a tribunal in the first three months of this year
HB Direct newsletters: 2018
20 June, 2018
These HB Direct newsletters for local authority staff provide information that affects Housing Benefit.
Tories make disability benefits climbdown as they change reassessment rules - but campaigners warn it's not enough
20 June, 2018
More PIP claimants will be able to wait 10 years for reassessment - but Parkinson's UK branded it "a piecemeal solution for a broken system"
Universal credit flaws inflict childcare costs on new workers
20 June, 2018
Parents forced to borrow money while waiting for funds, says Save the Children
Wales gets closer to full implementation of Housing First
19 June, 2018
New youth homelessness task group has the future for Housing First in Wales in its remit.
New research reveals rental comparison between benefit recipients and families
19 June, 2018
Welfare 'reform' making rental payments from recipients more difficult for landlords to manage.
Tory MPs challenge Theresa May to adopt radical housing agenda in bid for younger voters support
19 June, 2018
MPs will tell PM that housing is the 'defining' issue holding back Conservative support from under-40s
Universal Credit: information for stakeholders and partners
19 June, 2018
This collection brings together information for stakeholders and partners relating to Universal Credit.
Why won't ministers come clean about the impact of cuts on disabled people?
19 June, 2018
Being hit by the bedroom tax is bad enough, but losing your sickness benefits too is even harder
Children in temporary accommodation in Scotland
19 June, 2018
Children in temporary accommodation in Scotland hits 10 year peak
Urgent action is required to prevent more people dying on the streets
19 June, 2018
New research released today from St Mungo's reveals a dramatic increase in the proportion of people sleeping rough who have died with mental health support needs from 2025 to 2017.
Consultation on 'exciting' housing merger plan launched
19 June, 2018
TORUS' tenants and leaseholders are being asked for their views over proposals to 'amalgamate' the group with Liverpool Mutual Homes (LMH).
Broken care: Hunt puts social care reform on hold again meaning pensioners face catastrophic bills and spending their savings
19 June, 2018
Another delay to social care reform means pensioners will continue to face crippling bills.
Social care needs a cash injection now
19 June, 2018
Squeezing council funding in this area is ultimately a false economy
Glasgow block blaze shows 'no scope for complacency' over fire safety
18 June, 2018
The SFHA says the fire that ripped through a top floor of a Glasgow tower block on the anniversary of Grenfell was a 'sharp reminder' against any scope for complacency over fire safety in social housing.
Universal credit: fix this cruel, expensive fiasco
18 June, 2018
Ministers promised it would save money and cut fraud. But welfare reform has failed to deliver - and brought misery to many
'Grenfell' cladding: couple could sue after £600,000 flat now worth £90,000
18 June, 2018
Nerisa Ahmed and husband threaten to sue government agency that helped them buy home
Deaths of mentally ill rough sleepers in London rise sharply
18 June, 2018
Research finds 80% of rough sleepers who died in capital in 2017 had mental health needs compared with 29% in 2025
Council 'inaction' leaves renters at risk of revenge evictions
18 June, 2018
Just one in six private tenants living in an unsafe home is getting council protection from a revenge eviction, new figures show.
Raft of safety flaws listed at Grenfell Tower Inquiry
18 June, 2018
A list of failed safety regulations has been presented to a public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower blaze.
Universal Credit risks furthering domestic abuse
18 June, 2018
Campaigners call for new payment arrangements where present payment system 'empowers abusers'.
Legislation alone will not eliminate homelessness
18 June, 2018
Local authorities need government funding to help them make a success of the act recently brought in to prevent and reduce homelessness
The great leasehold rip off
18 June, 2018
How firms are cashing in on housebuyers with charges that DOUBLE every decade
LIN member report April 2018 - Landlords and the Courts
12 April, 2018
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
Affordable housing: why current plans to invest don't go far enough
27 March, 2018
Building more low-cost rented homes that people can afford will loosen the grip of poverty.
More than 40 housing associations back planned £1bn bond issue
27 March, 2018
There are 45 housing associations backing aggregator Morhomes' plan to launch a £1bn bond issue.
The Homelessness Reduction Act is a key step towards homelessness prevention
27 March, 2018
The legislation comes into force on April 3, but only if local authorities can afford it
LGA responds to Independent Age report on older private renters
27 March, 2018
With housing for elderly people currently accounting for just 6 per cent of our existing stock, and more older people and families renting privately than ever before
Welfare policies having 'huge impact' on domestic abuse victims
26 March, 2018
Conference on Housing and Domestic Abuse hears that government policy is making it harder for domestic abuse victims to get support.
DWP accused of 'clumsy' attempt to defend Universal Credit using IFS research
26 March, 2018
MPs criticise 'airy and irrelevant' responses from the department after committee raises questions over the projected employment boost from benefit reform
Debate on the construction of council housing - House of Commons - 27 March 2018
26 March, 2018
The national housing shortage is one of the most pressing issues we face.
Poll pushes impact of PRS energy performance
26 March, 2018
Survey released ahead of new standards for EPC ratings coming into effect on April 1.
LGA: Focus on 'invisible' older renters
26 March, 2018
Housing for the elderly accounts for just 6% of existing stock - with more older people and families renting privately than ever before.
Bishop of Durham 'deeply concerned' over universal credit plan
26 March, 2018
The Bishop of Durham has criticised the government over its implementation of universal credit and called for it to 'revisit' aspects of the payment.
Landlord's lack of action over pigeons comes home to roost
23 March, 2018
Court rules on complaints about cooing pigeons after improvement notices ignored
Deposit cap a 'charter for rent cheats'
23 March, 2018
'Ministers need to address the problem of tenants failing to pay rent every bit as strongly as rogue landlords.'
Local Authority Insight Survey Wave 33
22 March, 2018
This research presents findings on preparations for Universal Credit managed migration and the effects of reducing the Housing Benefit backdating period.
Universal Credit transition to full service
22 March, 2018
When local authorities and jobcentre areas will transition to the Universal Credit full service.
Who will foot the bill to prevent people becoming homeless?
22 March, 2018
New law will compel councils to prevent evictions and rough sleeping. But this comes at a price local authorities will struggle to afford
DWP wins legal case to block future benefit appeals
22 March, 2018
The government has won a legal case which could have major implications for future benefit appeals.
Spending on new homes plummets while housing benefit soars
22 March, 2018
CIH chief executive Terrie Alafat CBE says new statistics show social housing has reached a critical point
Housing sector realises more than ever the importance of listening to residents.
22 March, 2018
As Rethinking social housing Northern Ireland continues to get underway, steering group member Colm McDaid encourages tenants and residents to make their voices heard.
Jeremy Hunt confirms individual costs for social care to be capped
22 March, 2018
Health secretary tells social workers conference the current charging system is 'far from fair'
Conservative MP introduces fire risk transparency bill to parliament
22 March, 2018
A Conservative MP has introduced a bill to parliament which would require building owners to tell residents about fire safety risks.
Landlords who say 'no DSS' breaking equality laws
26 February, 2018
The thousands of lettings agents and landlords around the country who reject housing benefit claimants could be flouting equality laws, due a recent legal case.
Westminster Council to take full ownership of housing association
26 February, 2018
Westminster Council is set to turn a housing association it established into a wholly owned subsidiary in response to government deregulation.
Council tax hikes will not stop cuts to local services, authorities warn
26 February, 2018
LGA says government budget cuts and the cost of higher wages will outweigh additional income
Councils 'help transform' the future for Private Rented Sector
26 February, 2018
New report shows how councils can foster investment by corporate landlords in new private rental housing.
Thatcher's crusade to wipe out council housing faces serious challenge
26 February, 2018
The right-to-buy scheme slowed construction of new homes but local authorities are exploring new funding options
Housing officer jailed for illegal subletting
26 February, 2018
Court hears how sublet scam went on for 10 years while the defendant lived in a house she had inherited.
Government urged to give those with debt problems a year's grace
26 February, 2018
Ministers are considering a 'breathing space' of six weeks - but campaigners want to go much further
We need to review the legal definition of homelessness
26 February, 2018
The death of a rough sleeper close to parliament shows the urgency of action needed to tackle homelessness
Nearly 70 councils share funding to unlock stalled housing
26 February, 2018
The Government has named the first wave of councils to be given cash to help speed up planning decisions.
Rogue landlords taken to court should face minimum £30,000 fines
23 February, 2018
Rogue landlords who commit housing offences should be fined a minimum of £30,000 by magistrates as part of common sentencing guidelines to improve standards in the private rental sector
Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities
23 February, 2018
Guidance on how local authorities should exercise their homelessness functions in accordance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 from 3 April 2018.
Council housed young homeless family in 'Dickensian' conditions
23 February, 2018
Ombudsman's report finds council at fault over "patently unsuitable" placement and subsequent response to complaints.
Greenwich Council apologises for false illegal letting accusations
23 February, 2018
Greenwich Council has had to apologise after sending out thousands of letters accusing people of illegally renting out their homes.
Residents count cost of Grenfell-style cladding
23 February, 2018
Residents of a private apartment complex could face a bill of up to £10m to remove Grenfell-style cladding from their building.
Brit star hits home over Grenfell
23 February, 2018
"You should do some jail time, you should pay some damages, we should burn your house down and see if you can manage this."
National Landlords Association launches new brand
23 February, 2018
The National Landlords Association (NLA) today launches its new brand following extensive consultation with members and stakeholders.
As a campaigner, I believe the Tories can fix homelessness
23 February, 2018
The 2008 financial crash that triggered austerity happened on Labour's watch. We've been dealing with the fallout ever since
Peabody pays out over gas disconnection
22 February, 2018
Housing association Peabody has paid out more than £30,000 to 57 residents who were left without gas for months.
A mother given 50p a week for housing: the benefit cap one year on
22 February, 2018
A year on from the introduction of the lower benefit cap, its abiding legacy is to push people closer to homelessness.
The seven reasons why landlords won't let to tenants on benefits
22 February, 2018
Private sector landlords are accused of unfairly turning away households claiming housing benefit. So why do they refuse
LIN member report December 2017 - General Data Protection Regulation An Overview
15 December, 2017
LIN member report by Kevin McCready
More detail on £1.5 billion package of support for Universal Credit
24 November, 2017
More details of the £1.5 billion package of support for Universal Credit were set out today by David Gauke, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
LFB issues 51 enforcement notices against high rises post-Grenfell
24 November, 2017
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has issued 51 enforcement notices against high-rise buildings in the capital in the five months since the Grenfell tragedy.
Value of asylum housing contracts doubles after criticism of conditions
24 November, 2017
Home Office invites companies to bid for £3bn to £4bn worth of contracts, after Serco and G4s made losses on 2012 deal
Empty homes spike in London commuter belt
24 November, 2017
London's commuter belt has seen a spike in the number of homes left long-term empty despite a downward trend across the UK since 2025.
Rent Smart Wales: 4,000 landlords 'letting illegally'
24 November, 2017
Almost 4,000 landlords are still illegally letting properties after failing to sign up to a Welsh Government scheme which began two years ago
Autumn Budget 2017 25 things you need to know
23 November, 2017
The Chancellor has presented his Budget to Parliament - here's a summary of what was announced.
£8bn guarantees fund could be used for affordable housing
23 November, 2017
The government's £8bn loan guarantees scheme could be used by housing associations to deliver affordable housing.
Social housing sales up for councils and associations
23 November, 2017
Latest stats show 23,186 sales of social housing homes over 2016-17 - 13,652 by local authorities and 9,534 by housing associations.
'Small print' reveals reality behind UC budget offer
23 November, 2017
Changes announced by chancellor won't take effect until the New Year - with the housing benefit extension due in April.
What the 2017 autumn budget means for you
23 November, 2017
We've looked at the figures to see how Philip Hammond's autumn budget will affect your finances - whether you're single, married, with or without children or retired.
Empty homes council tax rise unlikely to deter rich owners, say critics
23 November, 2017
Hammond's 100% extra tax on vacant property dismissed as 'joke' unlikely to hit wealthy buyers or spur re-use of housing
Universal credit wait reduced to five weeks
23 November, 2017
Tories welcome changes to hardship loans and housing benefit but Labour calls for welfare rollout to be paused and fixed
Housing homeless in hotels tops £100,000 in Gloucestershire
23 November, 2017
More than £100,000 has been spent by local authorities in Gloucestershire since January 2016 putting up homeless people in hotels.
Budget commitment good but crucial we build the right homes in the right places
23 November, 2017
In response to the budget, CIH's deputy chief executive Gavin Smart said the government's renewed commitment to solve the housing crisis is positive but it's crucial the homes built are homes that people can afford.
Government announces 'short term solution for temporary accommodation rent arrears
23 November, 2017
The government has announced a 'short-term measure' to tackle growing rent arrears bills for temporary accommodation providers.
Britain faces longest decline in living standards in 60 years
23 November, 2017
Resolution Foundation warns average earnings will not return to 2007 levels until 2025.
'Direct link' between welfare changes and rough sleeping rise
15 September, 2017
Labour responds to the mayor of London's comments that there is a 'direct link' between welfare changes and the rise in rough sleeping.
Councils warn of cuts to housing budgets due to fire safety works
15 September, 2017
Social landlords could be forced to cut back spend on repairs and new build as they scramble to fund fire safety works on tower blocks.
Stereotypes of social housing tenants are isolating and damaging
15 September, 2017
Housing association tenant explains why the Fair Press for Tenants guide for media is needed
2017 UK HOUSING REVIEW
15 September, 2017
New housing supply continues to fall behind new household growth across Great Britain.
Poor people pushed into debt by harsh benefit deductions
15 September, 2017
Poor people on benefits are being pushed into destitution by having direct deductions taken from their benefit payments.
We need to change how we talk about homelessness
15 September, 2017
People often have a limited view of homelessness and are fed 'typical' media
Universal Credit payment advances: May 2016 to June 2017
15 September, 2017
This publication provides ad hoc statistics on payment advances for claims to Universal Credit for May 2016 to June 2017.
Government debate on rent repayments and mortgages
15 September, 2017
Parliament will debate a call for rent payments to be taken into account when applying for a mortgage.
RLA secures £1.5million energy funding pot for members
14 September, 2017
The RLA has secured a £1.5m funding pot from energy company E.ON to install energy efficiency improvements in members’ properties
Universal Credit forcing PRS tenants into rent arrears
14 September, 2017
More than a third of private landlords with tenants receiving Universal Credit say they are owed rent, up by over 10% since last year
Build-to-rent - the solution to Britain's housing crisis?
14 September, 2017
Purpose-built block of rental homes, including affordable units and extensive facilities, are fast becoming a hot investment
Homelessness rise 'likely to have been driven by welfare reforms'
13 September, 2017
The number of homeless families in the UK has risen by more than 60% and is 'likely to have been driven' by the government's welfare reform
English councils' local welfare schemes in 'meltdown'
13 September, 2017
New report reveals that two-thirds of English councils have closed or cut emergency funds, causing greater hardship to low-income families
Landlords urged to get ahead of new laws
13 September, 2017
Research by top sector insurer shows the impact of new legislation on the UK's 1.75 million landlords.
RLA presents Universal Credit evidence to Select Committee
13 September, 2017
The RLA has given evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee on the troubled roll out of Universal Credit.
English councils' local welfare schemes in 'meltdown'
13 September, 2017
New report reveals that two-thirds of English councils have closed or cut emergency funds, causing greater hardship to low-income families
Index of private housing rental prices (IPHRP) in Great Britain: August 2017
13 September, 2017
An experimental price index tracking the prices paid for renting property from private landlords in Great Britain.
Local housing allowance cuts are too deep for renters to work their way out
13 September, 2017
Housing benefit freezes are putting renters at risk of homelessness.
UK House Price Index (HPI) for July 2017
13 September, 2017
The UK House Price Index shows house price changes for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
APPG: 'We must get housing options right for older people in the countryside'
13 September, 2017
Parliamentary group urges action on LGA analysis outlining the need for more specialist homes.
Are rented micro-homes the future for young singles?
12 September, 2017
Are you young-ish, single and thoroughly fed up with paying a high level of rent for a room in a house, miles away from where you work?
Joint effort to weed out tenant cannabis use
12 September, 2017
Housing providers warn of eviction risk if tenants smoke the drug in their homes.
Severe weather warning - are your tenants safe?
12 September, 2017
Rain and high winds have been battering the country over the last few days - with gales of up to 75mph set to hit the UK this week.
New clean energy projects set to power 3.6 million homes
12 September, 2017
Record amount of renewable capacity secured to power our homes following second contracts for difference auction.
Anglesey council's financial outlook 'remains bleak'
12 September, 2017
Councillor Llinos Medi said the authority has had to save £19m over the last five years and have to save another £8m over the next three.
DWP to procure 'off the shelf' appointment booking system for Universal Credit
12 September, 2017
Solution for a five year contract expected to be a 'seven figure sum' for cloud-based system providing 99.9% availability supporting UC.
Two million UK families face £50-a-week cut in income
11 September, 2017
Households with children make up more than 80% of those set to lose out as pressure grows for end to austerity
'Is my smart meter charging me for the energy generated by my solar panels?'
11 September, 2017
Smart meters and solar panels are incompatible and can even cause householders to pay for electricity generated by solar panels rather than receiving money for it
'Bank of Mum and Dad' shoulders burden of high cost of renting
11 September, 2017
Parents will pay £2.3bn this year helping children with rent, as the 'Bank of Mum and Dad' stretches beyond helping with house deposits.
Government buying into affordable homes
11 September, 2017
Evidence of Downing Street testing fresh housing initiatives to win over younger voters.
I see housing officers do all they can to refuse homeless applications
11 September, 2017
Faced with growing demand and dwindling supply, councils have become experienced in using the law to keep homeless people off their waiting lists
Universal Credit expansion is 'a disaster waiting to happen' says Citizens Advice
11 September, 2017
Citizens Advice is warning that the expansion of Universal Credit is 'a disaster waiting to happen'.
Bread for All: The Origins of the Welfare State
11 September, 2017
A new account shows how Attlee's reforms built on foundations laid down decades earlier - and that was the key to their success
Supported housing: bottom of the pile?
08 September, 2017
An overstuffed political agenda has meant supported housing funding has been pushed aside.
Where should housing and social care overlap?
08 September, 2017
Do housing providers need to play a more active role in assessing the housing needs of vulnerable individuals
Loophole that offers couples a chance to dodge second-home stamp duty
08 September, 2017
A clash between official Government 'guidance' and the law could provide a loophole for couples looking to purchase a second home without paying stamp duty.
Quarter of private-renting families slipping into 'bad debt' as they are frequently forced to move
08 September, 2017
Hundreds of thousands of private renting families paying average of £1,619 in added costs when they move, findings show
Quarter of private-renting families slipping into 'bad debt' as they are frequently forced to move
08 September, 2017
Hundreds of thousands of private renting families paying average of £1,619 in added costs when they move, findings show
DWP launches new helpline for landlords
08 September, 2017
The DWP has issued a new guide that includes a helpline for landlords who have had their Universal Credit Alternative Payment Arrangement approved and whose tenants will still not communicate with them.
Landlords fined over Right to Rent triples in a year
08 September, 2017
Hundreds of landlords have been fined in a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Glimmer of hope as MPs say they must 'look at' deposit cap plan
08 September, 2017
MPs have debated the proposed lettings fee ban - with a glimmer of hope for landlords as even those backing the move raised questions about capping deposits.
Keep exploring different options to improve services
07 September, 2017
Mergers may grab the headlines, but there are lots of other opportunities for associations to deliver real benefits
Landlords admit turning away EU citizens to avoid Government regulations
07 September, 2017
Almost one in five landlords say they would be reluctant to let property to an EU national, due to checks they must now complete
Property entrepreneur turned MP backs ban on letting agent fees
07 September, 2017
Tory Kevin Hollinrake tells Commons the compromise of a cap would start 'a race to the top'.
Government tells landlords to fix fire safety breaches in large panel system blocks
07 September, 2017
The government has told social landlords to take action to seal up any cracks found in large panel system tower blocks.
Campaign calls for increasing number of accessible homes
07 September, 2017
Champion of accessible and inclusive housing, Habinteg is campaigning for the government, councils and developers to recognise the importance of increasing the supply of accessible homes to meet national demand.
Tenants let down by lack of letting fee enforcement
06 September, 2017
RLA calls for better enforcement of existing regulation of letting agent fees rather than outright ban being debated today
Why getting a loan will be harder for landlords
06 September, 2017
Landlords who have four or more properties could find it impossible to get a mortgage under tough new checks by banks.
Council tax reduction for around half a million Scots
06 September, 2017
Scotland's Council Tax Reduction scheme supported 491,180 households and the total weekly income foregone by local authorities was £6.5m.
How Tenant Management Organisations have wrongly been associated with Grenfell
06 September, 2017
Tenant Management Organisations are small, tenant-led organisations that take on a number of landlord functions from local councils.
Flexibility 'needed for the future of payments'
06 September, 2017
'Flexibility, greater automation and mobile payments' crucial to future payments strategy according to payments collection specialists.
Grenfell: social housing policy issues 'dealt with in due course'
06 September, 2017
In the Commons, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid acknowledges that such issues need to be addressed
London developer to allow rental tenants to pay deposits in bitcoin
05 September, 2017
The Collective says there is international demand to accept cryptocurrency, and will take it for rent payments from autumn
Can buy-to-let investors get more by Airbnbing their properties?
05 September, 2017
An increasing number of landlords are turning away from long-term rentals in favour of using Airbnb
Solar power deal will lower social tenants' energy bills
04 September, 2017
Solar panels are to be installed in 800,000 low-income homes across England and Wales over the next five years, as part of a new government scheme.
No interest rate rise for at least a year, economists say
04 September, 2017
Many economists do not expect UK interest rates to rise until 2019 despite inflation remaining above target
UK interest rate cut: how it will affect you
05 August, 2016
With the Bank of England reducing the base rate to just 0.25%, we look at the likely impact on mortgage and savings rates, pensions and house prices
Is it time to abandon the dream of owning a home?
05 August, 2016
Some have argued that we should focus on improving renting rather than obsessing over house ownership - readers share their opinions on this
Interest rate cut to record low
04 August, 2016
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to a record low of 0.25%
Rents fall as landlords remain nervous over Brexit
26 July, 2016
Letting market hit by uncertainty over the future of Britain's role in Europe, but London continues to benefit from high demand for homes
June property transaction count down by 10% on last year
26 July, 2016
The number of residential property transactions increased by 4.9% between May and June 2016, but is down 10.2% compared with the same month last year
London housing: Lambeth's Pockets of affordability
25 July, 2016
A new kind of compact home for middle income Londoners looks to be part of the new mayor's plans
Taxing tenants: how taxes on landlords end up hitting tenants
25 July, 2016
TaxPayers' Alliance report
Bank of Mum and Dad is now paying the rent, too
18 July, 2016
Parents in Britain put hand into pocket to the tune of £1bn a year, as housing crisis grows
Landlords urge Welsh government to introduce a new tax to boost rented housing supply
18 July, 2016
Assembly members in Wales are being asked to scrap the 3% stamp duty hike and instead introduce a new Land Transaction Tax
NLA launches tenancy management software
18 July, 2016
The NLA has launched its newest service, Landlord Vision, which uses cloud-based software to help landlords manage almost every aspect of their tenancies
Fire, Gas and Carbon Monoxide Safety Regulations:
15 July, 2016
What English social landlords need to know
Interest rates could be cut to new low
14 July, 2016
The Bank of England could make the first cut to UK interest rates in more than seven years
Netherlands landlord offers tenants 100 Euro rent cut for helping refugees
16 June, 2016
Trudo housing corporation residents to get monthly discount if they guide new arrivals through Dutch customs and rules
Buy-to-let Britain
10 June, 2016
Buy-to-let landlords likely to increase rents to offset higher costs - report by Kent Reliance
UK startup offers landlords continuous, deep surveillance of tenants' social media
10 June, 2016
New Startup That Sends Dossiers On Your Private Social Media Profiles To Potential Landlords
Council to pay a £26.8m water bill refund to tenants
09 June, 2016
Many landlords with similar arrangements could also face large bills.
NFA & ARCH Welfare Reform 2015 Analysis
07 January, 2016
NFA and ARCH survey reveals 89% of Universal Credit Claimants in rent arrears
LIN Press Release - Right to Rent being extended across England from 1 February 2016
20 October, 2015
LIN Press Release - Right to Rent being extended across England from 1 February 2016
Immigration Act Rollout Announcement
20 October, 2015
The Home Office has announced details of the rollout of Right to Rent checks.From 1 February 2016 all landlords and letting agents in England who allow a tenancy will need to make checks on ID for all adult occupiers
'No Passport Equals No Home': An independent evaluation of the 'Right to Rent' scheme
04 September, 2015
The Right to Rent checks form part of a package of measures intended to create a "hostile environment" for irregular migrants in the UK
English housing survey 2013 to 2014: household report
17 July, 2015
Annual report on households in England, covering themes such as housing needs, housing moves, and vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
Landlords enjoy £14bn tax breaks as figures reveal buy-to-let expansion
27 May, 2015
Shelter urges review of tax treatment of landlords as freedom of information request shows they declared £6.3bn against mortgage interest in 2012-13
Opinion: How housing associations are empowering communities
11 March, 2015
As traditional methods of support for communities are undermined, social landlords have an increasingly important role to play.
Victory for landlords - councils' powers to license further diluted by housing minister
11 March, 2015
With effect from 1.4.15 Local councils will no longer have the power to licence landlords across a whole borough or city following reforms of Selective Licensing, restricting local decision-making powers
LIN press release - Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2015
18 February, 2015
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates applicable from April 2015 (Paid to tenants renting from private sector landlords and letting agents).
Section 21: Yesterday's Vote In Parliament
12 February, 2015
Whether you manage your own properties or manage properties on behalf of a landlord this could affect you
New database names and maps private landlords convicted under Housing Act
18 December, 2014
Database provides private renters with the first at-a-glance guide to landlords and letting agents who have been prosecuted
Water meters mean higher bills for more than a third of consumers
22 August, 2014
The number of water meters installed in homes across England and Wales has risen above 10 million
Households clear out new £7,600 per home Green Deal cashback
14 July, 2014
The most generous cashback in the Government's overhauled Green Deal scheme could be gone in one month, the Telegraph can disclose
Green deal: what next for government's energy efficiency scheme?
14 July, 2014
Efforts to revive the flagging policy still fail to address critics' concerns over cost and complications
Tenants face eviction as landlords capitalise on rising house prices
14 July, 2014
Soaring numbers of people in private rented homes face eviction despite being up to date with their rent because rising house prices are prompting landlords to ask tenants to leave
Scottish regulator reports on landlords' failures
10 July, 2014
Scottish social landlords are being urged to make it easier for tenants to report failures in performance
Five tips for handling rent arrears
10 July, 2014
Experts offer their advice on how housing providers can better manage arrears and help residents struggling to pay rent
Bid to help tenants with complants
08 July, 2014
The Government is taking steps to ensure social tenants are aware of the correct procedure for complaining about their landlord
Renting brings lower yields for buy-to-let landlords as property prices rise
07 July, 2014
Buy-to-let landlords are facing a squeeze on rental yields because of rising property prices, according to mortgage broker, Mortgages for Business
The law on renting needs changing: it's far too easy for landlords to evict
07 July, 2014
A tenant evicted after complaining about a plumbing problem lost his court case, but each year tenants do suffer 'revenge' evictions
Public urged to take part in HMO survey
07 July, 2014
Exeter City Council is eager to find out what its residents think about houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)
Britain's biggest buy-to-let landlords to sell entire portfolio of properties
07 July, 2014
Sale of nearly 1,000 homes in Ashford and Maidstone area likely to net Fergus and Judith Wilson at least £100m
Balancing risks after Cosmopolitan
04 July, 2014
The lesson from the Cosmopolitan crisis is that landlords must calculate and manage their risk
Five commandments for landlords after Cosmopolitan
27 June, 2014
The Cosmopolitan crisis had a huge impact on the housing sector. The five commandments to enable landlords avoid the pitfalls of the past
Rise in tenancy terminations
27 June, 2014
As the number of notices seeking possession rises, Carl Brown investigates why landlords are taking a tougher line
GLA to be flexible over retrofit plans
30 May, 2014
Landlords will not be forced to carry out work they cannot afford
CIH warns worst offenders may 'simply ignore' new London Rental Standard
29 May, 2014
The mayor of London's new London Rental Standard, sets out standards for landlord and letting agent accreditation schemes
New SORP threat to balance sheets
16 May, 2014
Landlords are warned changes to policy could hit their accounts
Landlords: What are your responsibilities?
13 May, 2014
Landlords have specific legal responsibilities to their tenants when it comes to gas safety. Here we look at some of the major points
Universal Credit - Rent Arrears Form
12 May, 2014
This form is for private and social sector landlords to claim Universal Credit rent arrears
Labour to call Commons vote on letting agent fee ban
09 May, 2014
Labour are to call a vote in the Commons in an attempt to ban letting agents from charging fees to tenants
Safe as houses
25 April, 2014
The health and safety of tenants is the most basic and important responsibility of any landlord, social or otherwise
Spotlight on PRS licensing scheme
24 April, 2014
Councils across the UK are considering licensing schemes to tackle rogue private landlords
Stronger protections for tenants and leaseholders
15 April, 2014
All letting and property management agents will be required to join an approved 'redress scheme' later this year
Fears Budget pensions shake-up could hit landlord bonds
27 March, 2014
Warning that pensions plan could hit investors' appetite for bonds
£billions paid to MPs, peers and royalty in housing benefit
25 February, 2014
A new study has revealed that MPs and members of the Royal Family are paid billions of pounds in housing benefit
Landlords forced into credit balancing act between lenders and tenants
19 February, 2014
Landlords are absorbing losses from rental arrears in order to keep up buy-to-let mortgage payments, government statistics have indicated
Immigration minister's resignation highlights 'stupidity of his own laws'
11 February, 2014
The resignation of the immigration minister demonstrates the "stupidity" of the laws he was introducing, a lettings agent has claimed
Landlord loan rates dive to new low
04 February, 2014
Buy-to-let mortgages are now cheaper than before the credit crisis
Get-rich-quick schemes target laid back landlords
29 January, 2014
Landlords are at risk of unethical schemes which take over the management of a property under the promise of guaranteed rental income
CH 4148 2012
16 January, 2014
Housing and council tax benefits tribunal decision - Whether periodic tenant liable for council tax after ceasing to reside in the dwelling
Sheffield Page Hall landlord licensing scheme approved
16 January, 2014
Landlords in an area of Sheffield where MPs have warned of "tensions" between communities will soon have to register for a £725 five-year licence
Pioneering pair launch a new service for landlords
15 January, 2014
Two entrepreneurs with years of experience of dealing with housing benefits and recovering rent arrears have launched an innovative letting agency for landlords with tenants on benefits
Tenants save half a million pounds through housing provider's scheme
14 January, 2014
A scheme to help people in fuel poverty and facing financial difficulties has saved tenants nearly half a million pounds of debt
Why landlords are shunning profitable benefit tenants
13 January, 2014
Benefit claimants are more profitable than many types of tenants, but landlords are turning them away
Property tycoon Fergus Wilson hits back after criticism of mass evictions
13 January, 2014
Controversial landlord spells out why his housing benefit tenants had to go - and northerners must get on their bikes
Just two housing landlords prosecuted in Swansea last year despite 443 complaints
13 January, 2014
Only two housing landlords were prosecuted last year, despite 443 complaints being made to Swansea Council
Benefits tenants good and bad, say Britain's most successful landlords
13 January, 2014
Opinion among top private property owners differs as to whether working tenants are actually much different
Reassessing existing DLA claimants for PIP
18 December, 2013
The process for inviting existing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants to claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Rogue landlords' squalid homes revealed by Newham Council
17 December, 2013
The squalid homes which rogue landlords are renting out have been revealed as part a London council's crackdown
Maintenance and repairs during a tenancy
17 December, 2013
Landlords' responsibilities do not end when a tenancy agreement is signed
Quarter of a million tenants withhold rent as punishment for taking too long to make urgent repairs - but are they breaking the law?
10 December, 2013
A quarter of a million private tenants a year are withholding rent money from their landlords because of delays resolving emergencies
Landlords being ripped off by up to £500 by lettings agents
04 December, 2013
Rogue letting agents are pocketing profits of as much as 600 per cent by ripping off landlords with hidden costs
Call to extend new fire rules to social landlords
26 November, 2013
A new fire safety scheme where businesses can select just one fire authority to set regulations 'must' be extended to social landlords
Senior government official apologises over ECO uncertainty
22 November, 2013
A senior government official has apologised for the situation facing landlords planning to bid for billions of pounds-worth of subsidies
Politicians slam strict housing bill measures
22 November, 2013
Measures to tackle rogue landlords may have to be watered down to allow the housing bill to pass through the Welsh Assembly
Green Deal take-up passes 1,000 mark
20 November, 2013
The number of people agreeing to take up the government's Green Deal on home energy has passed the 1,000 barrier
Landlords seek changes to new immigration bill
11 November, 2013
The Government is listening to industry concerns that the proposed immigration bill may unfairly penalise landlords and letting agents
Landlords welcome immigration bill change
30 October, 2013
The RLA has welcomed the government's decision to amend the Immigration Bill after concerns that it would have imposed a double penalty
Boston landlord licensing plans to tackle anti-social behaviour
15 October, 2013
A Lincolnshire council is planning to introduce a licensing system for landlords to crack down on anti-social behaviour at their properties
Better tenancies for families in rental homes
01 October, 2013
New measures will encourage family-friendly tenancies in the private rented sector
Millions of ghosts in UK's rented properties
30 September, 2013
Up to 3.3 million 'ghost' tenants are living unofficially in rented properties across the UK, new research has revealed
Opinion: Let's fight back against tenancy fraud
27 September, 2013
Housing tenancy fraud costs tax payers millions each year. Here a fraud investigator at Viridian Housing, shares the initiatives that the housing association has implemented to tackle tenancy fraud
Massive rise in rent arrears as one in 10 admit being conned by a lodger
24 September, 2013
Research by 192.com has discovered that one in 10 letters have been conned by a lodger, with one in five renters admitting to often concealing their true identity when applying for a property
'Beds in sheds' couple fined £60,000
24 September, 2013
A couple from Hillingdon have been fined £58,750 for failing to license a property as a house of multiple occupancy (HMO)
Increased costs for tenants living in Doncaster
24 September, 2013
Carl Agar, the NLA Local Representative for Doncaster provides the latest blog speaking about Selective Licensing in his City
More than six in ten tenants at risk from faulty gas fittings
18 September, 2013
Well over half of those in rented accommodation in the UK could be at risk from faulty gas fittings and appliances
Identity theft: keep it safe
12 September, 2013
As a landlord, your personal details - name, phone number, business and financial details, etc - will be in the public domain, so be sure to protect your identity
Landlord eviction of tenants at five-year high
11 September, 2013
The number of tenants who have been evicted from rental properties by their landlords reaches highest level in five years
Massive fine for lettings agent that committed 15 offences
10 September, 2013
A Hounslow letting agent found guilty of 15 housing offences has been hit with £47,540 in costs
'Not enough being done' as tenancy fraud rises by 70%
10 September, 2013
A credit reference company has warned that much more needs to be done to combat tenancy fraud as new figures reveal that the number of detected cases of the crime increased by 70% in 2012
Tenants fear rent rises as a result of landlord licensing
10 September, 2013
Tenants will be hit with rent rises as a result of a licensing scheme set to be introduced in Nottingham, a group of landlords has warned
Landlord loses battle to keep 'bed in shed'
04 September, 2013
A landlord has lost his appeal to house a tenant in an outbuilding in his garden
Letting to students proves academic for landlords
03 September, 2013
The NLA's latest Landlord Panel research suggests that students are amongst some of the most reliable tenants
Smaller landlords shun ratings in deal drive
29 August, 2013
Small and medium-sized housing associations without credit ratings are turning to capital market funding, due to improved investor appetite
Tenant gets the boot after years of misery
29 August, 2013
A woman has been evicted from her Cardiff council home after subjecting her neighbours to two and a half years of crime and anti-social behaviour
Eviction for anti-social tenant
27 August, 2013
An Ipswich social housing tenant has been evicted after a campaign of harassment and noise
Changing priorities
27 August, 2013
Landlords are taking advantage of new flexibilities to review their allocations policies, with some interesting results, says Jonathan Hulley
Water damage and everyday repairs
27 August, 2013
Landlords who fail to stop a trickle may soon find themselves swept away in a flood of costly repair bills, warns Property Club editor
Government urged to rethink illegal immigrant proposals
22 August, 2013
The BPF has warned the government that its proposals to tackle illegal immigration through rented homes could lead to landlords being prosecuted for failing to recognise complex immigration documents
Two thirds of London tenants in conflict with their landlord
19 August, 2013
Two thirds of tenants in London have had bad experiences with a landlord and more than half parted ways while in dispute over deposits
Carbon monoxide alarm law toughened
07 August, 2013
Carbon monoxide alarms will have to be fitted when new boilers or gas appliances are installed in Scottish properties, under a change to the law
Rent controls: should they be reintroduced?
06 August, 2013
With 9 million people dependent on the private rented sector, calls for rent controls have been increasing. But what are the arguments for and against?
NLA warns landlords of 'no win no fee' deposit claims
05 August, 2013
The Chairman of the NLA has warned landlords to ensure their tenants' deposits are properly protected and that they've fully complied with Tenancy Deposit Protection law
HMO landlord fined for endangering tenants' lives
01 August, 2013
A landlord and his company have been ordered to pay out nearly £40,000 for letting out five houses in multiple occupation where the lives of the tenants were endangered
Housing benefit challenge dismissed by High Court
30 July, 2013
Disabled families have lost a court challenge to social housing benefit cuts for residents with spare bedrooms in England, Wales and Scotland
Tottenham hatches plan to crackdown on bad landlords
25 July, 2013
Haringey Council has revealed plans for a crackdown on bad landlords in Tottenham
Sheffield Page Hall landlord licensing consultation launched
24 July, 2013
Landlords in Sheffield could be forced to apply for special licences to let property in an area of the city, the council has said
How to fulfil your electrical obligations and protect tenants
23 July, 2013
Electrical accidents kill one person a week and cause half of all house fires. How can you ensure your properties are safe?
Tenant Arrears Tracker - July 2013
08 July, 2013
Nearly 100,000 private tenants are now more than two months behind on their rent, according to figures published by LSL property services
Rogue landlords face £3,000 fines
05 July, 2013
Private landlords who rent homes to illegal immigrants could be fined up to £3,000 per individual, under government proposals published yesterday
Understanding Landlords
05 July, 2013
A study of private landlords in the UK using the Wealth and Assets Survey
Spending review: George Osborne targets benefits and slashes public sector jobs
28 June, 2013
Chancellor unveils unexpected package of welfare measures that include extension of wait before unemployed can sign on
Benefit Cap rollout
21 June, 2013
National implementation of the benefit cap will be managed over a 10 week period split into two tranches:
ASB landlords could face ban on collecting rent
20 June, 2013
Local authorities are urging the government to give them the power to ban private landlords from collecting rent if they fail to deal with anti-social tenants
Landlords offered cash to help homeless people
18 June, 2013
A charitable social enterprise is offering landlords with properties to let the chance to help vulnerably housed and homeless Londoners through its private sector leasing service
Bad landlords face licensing crackdown
14 June, 2013
With multiple tenants crammed into decrepit properties, one London borough is taking direct action
Landlords urged to act as 20% of properties risk becoming unlettable
14 June, 2013
Commercial and residential landlords should act now to avoid being left with unlettable properties when new energy efficiency rules come into place
Liverpool landlord prosecuted for HMO breach after inspectors smelt a rat
14 June, 2013
A Liverpool landlord has been prosecuted for operating a house in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence after officers followed up a rat complaint
Letting agency fees force renters into debt
12 June, 2013
Shelter is calling for an end to letting agency fees
A place to stay, a place to call home
31 May, 2013
A Strategy for the Private Rented Sector in Scotland
Almost a third of renters unaware of their deposit rights
30 May, 2013
Almost one in three renters are unaware of their rights under tenancy deposit protection schemes, new research from Shelter has found
A third of councils are considering compulsory landlord licensing
30 May, 2013
Health and safety concerns, and the sheer growth of the sector, lead local authorities to pay more attention to private rentals
The Hidden Costs of Private Renting in Northern Ireland
28 May, 2013
An Investigation into the Practice of Letting Charges
Renting in Wales: Concern over cost of tenancy changes
20 May, 2013
Plans to change how social and private homes are rented in Wales have been outlined by the Welsh government
The Welsh Government has unveiled plans to simplify the law on renting homes
20 May, 2013
Housing Minister Carl Sargeant has been spelling out his plans to simplify complicated law governing how homes are rented
Letting agents: how to protect yourself from 'cowboys'
17 May, 2013
Top tips when looking for a letting agent
Direct Payments Demonstration Projects:Learning the lessons, six months in
16 May, 2013
DWP Direct Payments Report
Universal Credit direct payment pilots to be extended for further six months
16 May, 2013
The Universal Credit direct payment demonstration projects will be extended for a further six months, Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud has announced
Universal Credit direct payment demonstration projects - latest findings
16 May, 2013
The Department for Work and Pensions today published its latest report into the Universal Credit demonstration projects testing the payment of housing benefit direct to social housing tenants
LIN Press Release - Direct Payment projects extended for 6 months
16 May, 2013
DWP Direct Payment Projects extended for 6 months
Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations
10 May, 2013
A toolkit to inform partner organisations about Universal Credit and to help them explain the changes to claimants
Buy-to-let mortgage lending hits record share, says CML
09 May, 2013
The buy-to-let sector now accounts for a record portion of total mortgage loans in the UK, according to lenders' data
Landlords and agents are 'failing tenants over gas safety'
09 May, 2013
Despite the law requiring a gas safety certificate to be issued annually, Shelter says one in 10 landlords and agents have not carried out a check for more than a year
Shelter says government should regulate letting agents
08 May, 2013
Letting agents for private property should be regulated by the Scottish government, according to Shelter Scotland
The Queen's Speech: Power and Majesty
08 May, 2013
The State Opening of Parliament is a fabulous piece of theatre
Landlords to get benefits of tenants in arrears
01 May, 2013
Payment of benefit will be switched back to social landlords when tenants accrue two months of arrears during universal credit 'pathfinders'
Universal Credit: Landlords to receive direct payments after two months of arrears
01 May, 2013
Housing benefit payments will be sent directly to landlords after tenants have gone into two months of arrears during the Universal Credit pathfinders
Universal credit: Major benefits shake-up begins
29 April, 2013
A massive shake-up in the UK benefits system starts with the first claims being made for the new universal credit payment
Tenants to take to streets to protest against 'exploitation'
29 April, 2013
Londoners will take to the streets to protest against "rip off fees", spiralling rents and the "exploitation" of private tenants by letting agents
Landlord fined for failing to improve empty property
26 April, 2013
A Barnet landlord has been fined £24,000 after failing to make improvements to an empty property
Record fine for slum landlord as council forces him to demolish 'bed with shed'
23 April, 2013
A slum landlord who has been forced to raze a 'bed with shed' to the ground has been hit with a record fine
Should minimum space standards apply to social and private housing?
22 April, 2013
British homes are the smallest in western Europe. Would minimum space standards make the difference?
A licence to let
22 April, 2013
Are blanket licensing schemes practical - and legal? With other local authorities set to follow Newham's lead, lawyer Eamonn Hogan gives his view
Arrears fall while rents rise
22 April, 2013
Private rent arrears are lower in most parts of the UK than they were a year ago, while rent levels have risen
Buy to Let Index
19 April, 2013
Rents 4.2% higher than a year ago according to the latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services
London's private rents soar by 1.3% during March
19 April, 2013
Private rents in London soared by 1.3% during March to a record average of £1,106 per month according to the latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services plc
Buy-to-let: seaside towns offer best returns
19 April, 2013
Landlords in Southampton, Blackpool and Hull achieve rental yields of almost 8% - the highest in the country
Regulator dropped credit rating requirement
18 April, 2013
A suggestion that landlords could be required to obtain credit ratings was shelved by the regulator following concerns from housing figures
Letting agents face tougher scrutiny
18 April, 2013
Letting agents and residential managing agents will now have to sign up to a recognised ombudsman scheme following an amendment to a bill currently going through parliament
A letting agent ombudsman is a start
17 April, 2013
It's not perfect, but at last renters might be able to seek redress for grasping, discriminatory and devious treatment by agents
Tenants to be given right to challenge rogue letting agents
17 April, 2013
Amendment requires agents to sign up to ombudsman scheme while giving OFT the power to ban those who act improperly
Government forces lettings agents to take responsibility
16 April, 2013
An amendment to protect consumers from 'rogue' lettings agents has been added to a government bill
Why a digital inclusion strategy is now crucial for social landlords
12 April, 2013
Changes to how benefits are accessed means housing providers will have to do more for their tenants
Five million households in debt to energy firms
09 April, 2013
The number of people who owe money to their energy supplier has risen by over one million in a year, with around one in five households now in debt, according to a study by USwitch
Housing benefit climbdowns could put lenders and landlords at risk
09 April, 2013
Lenders should be applauded for their housing benefit u-turns, but have they now gone too far the other way?
Live discussion: direct payment demonstration pilots
08 April, 2013
The government's pilot schemes have seen arrears double in the first four months, but what can be learned from the six schemes' progress so far?
Discretionary Housing Payments Guidance Manual
05 April, 2013
April 2013 Good Practice Guide for DHP's
Things are looking up: Arrears are down!
05 April, 2013
There's good news for landlords and tenants alike with rent arrears at their lowest level since March 2025 according to NLA
Changes to council tax on empty homes introduced this week
04 April, 2013
Information from the Empty Homes Agency Limited
'Chaotic' council tax changes may lead to rent rises
04 April, 2013
The government's council tax changes could lead to a rise in rents, a lettings agent had warned
Landlords who don't disclose properties' negative qualities facing prison
02 April, 2013
Landlords and letting agents are now legally obliged to disclose to prospective tenants any negative information about their properties
Vacant property owners to get homes renovated for free
02 April, 2013
Owners of empty homes are being given the opportunity to renovate their properties and rent them out as shared housing for people in need
Void periods on steady decline
28 March, 2013
According to the latest research from the NLA, void periods in private-residential property have fallen to their lowest level in over a year
A licence to rent?
28 March, 2013
How regulating the private rented sector can mean a better deal for tenants, landlords and taxpayers
Money Advice Service - guides
27 March, 2013
Free printed guides give you clear, unbiased information and advice in plain English - of particular interest will be the 'Everyday money' guides
Two thirds of landlords have 'no plans' to let tenants use Green Deal
26 March, 2013
The majority of the UK's landlords have "no plans" to let their tenants take advantage of the government's Green Deal, a new survey has revealed
Universal Credit toolkit for partner organisations
25 March, 2013
This toolkit is for organisations, particularly those in the Pathfinder locations, to inform them about Universal Credit and to help explain the changes that Universal Credit will bring
LIN Press Release - information for private and social sector landlords
25 March, 2013
Changes to the size criteria for approved foster carers and parents of armed forces personnel
MPs and peers to examine private rented sector
14 March, 2013
A Parliamentary group is to examine the impact welfare reforms will have on young people in the private rented sector
Universal Credit: tenants could be 'a broken washing machine away from not paying rent'
14 March, 2013
Landlords are being warned to prepare for the worst ahead of the government's welfare reforms, which could leave some tenants "a broken washing machine away from not paying rent"
Impact of rising rents on family life revealed
14 March, 2013
Almost two thirds of renters are struggling or falling behind with their rent, according to a new survey by Shelter
Council rules out landlord licensing
14 March, 2013
Westminster council has ruled out setting up compulsory licensing for private landlords
my deposits reduces landlord deposit protection fees
13 March, 2013
My deposits has announced it is to reduce its fees from the 1st April
Tax breaks for landlords will not solve the housing crisis
12 March, 2013
Councils must offer landlords better services to help meet housing need
Households renting from private landlords rises to 15%
08 March, 2013
The proportion of people renting from private landlords in Britain rose from 10% to 15% between 2008 and 2011 according to the Office for National Statistics
Impact of LHA cuts on London
07 March, 2013
Recent figures show that following cuts in April 2011 there has been a dramatic shift in where Londoners who get Local Housing Allowance (LHA) are living
New ruling on letting agents fees
07 March, 2013
The Advertising Standards Agency has ruled that letting agents must make their full fees clear in the quoted price of all rental properties
Universal Credit: Proposal for Direct Payments trigger
07 March, 2013
CIH has joined forces with the National Housing Federation and Community Housing Cymru to advise the government
DWP sets date for national benefit cap roll-out
07 March, 2013
The national roll-out of the benefit cap will begin on 15th July announced the Department for Work and Pensions
Legal bid fails to stop housing benefit reforms
06 March, 2013
The High Court has dismissed a claim for a judicial review of the government's decision to limit housing benefit payments for tenants in the private rented sector
Annual private rent bill up £8 billion
05 March, 2013
England's private rent bill for 2012 was £7.7 billion higher than in 2008, according to housing investment and shared equity mortgage provider Castle Trust
Nationwide reverses ban on local authority tenants
04 March, 2013
Nationwide has reversed its decision to stop lending to buy-to-let landlords with local housing authority tenants
Enforcement squads going after unlicensed properties
04 March, 2013
Enforcement squads are prowling a London borough's streets for unlicensed rental properties - with criminal landlords facing fines of up to £20,000 per dwelling
Nationwide to stop lending to landlords with Local Housing Allowance tenants
01 March, 2013
Mortgage provider Nationwide, which provides mortgages for over a third of the buy-to-let market, has withdrawn from lending to new landlord customers with LHA tenants
Local authority goes after 'beds in sheds'
01 March, 2013
A London local authority is going after rogue landlords who are letting out 'beds in sheds'
Call for compulsory register of private landlords
26 February, 2013
Labour councillors in Westminster are calling for the establishment of a compulsory register of private landlords after new figures revealed poor practice in the sector
Nottingham rented house licence fees prompts row
25 February, 2013
A group which represents Nottingham landlords has said a rise of more than 50% in licence fees is unjustified
Southwark Council pilot findings cast doubt on viability of Direct Payment of benefits
21 February, 2013
A London council has projected it faces a rocketing £14 million increase in rent arrears once the direct payment of HB to tenants comes into effect later this year
Reduced budget for Council Tax benefit from April 2013
20 February, 2013
Changes to Council Tax exemptions are a hot topic for landlords at the moment
The Lettings Market - an OFT report
19 February, 2013
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has called for better regulation of lettings agents after identifying several consumer protection issues
LIN Press Release - Information on Direct payment of Universal Credit Housing costs direct to landlords
15 February, 2013
Universal Credit (UC) - Guidance on Personal Budgeting Support
Rental prices set to 'cool down'
11 February, 2013
The supply of private rented homes is likely to increase in 2013 according to a new forecast from property search specialist Rightmove
Council launches England's first regional 'accredited landlords' register
11 February, 2013
Bournemouth Council has become the first local authority in England to launch a regional 'accredited landlords' register
Universal Credit - Local support services framework
11 February, 2013
The Local support services framework states it will be up to the DWP to make exceptions to normal payment rules such as paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to landlords
LIN Press Release - Universal Credit (UC)
11 February, 2013
The local support services framework for the government's flagship welfare reform, Universal Credit, states it will be up to the DWP to make exceptions to normal payment rules such as paying the housing element of the credit to landlords
Letting agent accreditation is little more than a sticker in the window
08 February, 2013
While accreditation remains voluntary, there is little regulators can do to help tenants in dispute with letting agents
London has certainly seen a big increase in private renters but it's not the city with the biggest proportion of private renters in England
06 February, 2013
The recent census shows that renting is becoming the norm in urban areas across England. Ths report explores the implications of this trend
NLA launches complete Green Deal solution for landlords
06 February, 2013
The NLA has launched NLA Green Deal, a complete Green Deal solution which will enable landlords to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties with ease
Deposit scheme to avoid disputes between tenants and landlords
04 February, 2013
Northern Ireland is to have its first Tenancy Deposit Scheme, in a move to avoid disputes over deposits between tenants and landlords
Councils warn of impact of letting agent rip-offs and rogue landlords
04 February, 2013
Extortionate fees charged by some letting agents are exacerbating the housing crisis, local government leaders are warning
Liverpool City Council to launch City-wide Selective Licensing Consultation
02 February, 2013
NLA report
'Give private landlords tax relief to relieve homelessness crisis'
30 January, 2013
Private landlords should be given tax breaks in order to relieve the housing crisis, London Councils has urged
Homeless sign up for Recovery College
30 January, 2013
An innovative college for homeless people in London, the first of its kind in the country, is attracting hundreds of students
Set in place solid foundations - Then tackle the myriad of welfare reforms
28 January, 2013
LIN complimentary report for landlords
Freud: Direct payments will not reduce incomes
28 January, 2013
Lord David Freud said he does not expect landlords to 'suffer sudden losses of income' as a result of direct payment of benefit to tenants
Landlords warned not to ignore the Green Deal
28 January, 2013
The NLA reminds all private residential landlords to familiarise themselves with the Green Deal and begin making energy efficiency improvements to relevant properties
landlords should get systems in place before Universal Credit
25 January, 2013
Here Claire Turner, director of LIN, argues that landlords should take steps to prepare for Universal Credit before payments are made direct to tenants
Who Lives in the Private Rented Sector?
25 January, 2013
A report by the Building and Social Housing Foundation
Call for empty homes in Rochdale
25 January, 2013
Landlords with empty properties in Rochdale are being targeted as part of a housing programme aimed at increasing the amount of homes available for rent in the borough
Fresh blood brings new perspective to private rent debate
25 January, 2013
Commons exchange risked creating an unhelpful war of words, but Damian Collins' lively intervention offers hope
Prisk rejects call for register of private landlords
25 January, 2013
Housing minister Mark Prisk has dismissed Labour's proposals for a national register of landlords to improve standards in the private rented sector
Evictions warning over housing benefit reforms
24 January, 2013
Changes to housing benefit later this year could lead to a rise in evictions, a key housing body has warned
'The sleights of hand in the changes to Local Housing Allowance funding'
23 January, 2013
David Lawrenson explains the "work arounds" and the sleights of hand involved in the latest changes in Local Housing Allowance funding
10,000 property firms mis-sold interest-rate 'protection' agreements
22 January, 2013
Thousands of property firms were targeted by banks mis-selling complex interest-rate “protection†agreements, a law firm has claimed
Homelessness applications drop 13 per cent
16 January, 2013
Homelessness applications in Scotland have fallen 13 per cent since last year, according to the latest government figures
Council searching southern England for homes for homeless families
15 January, 2013
Croydon Council is searching southern England for properties as it seeks to fix its homelessness crisis
'Blame councils not private landlords for empty homes crisis'
14 January, 2013
London's private landlords are being unfairly singled out as the source of the empty homes crisis
Over a third of landlords to increase rents this year
14 January, 2013
Over a third of the UK's landlords are planning on raising their rents this year, and 24% will raise them by more than 3% - 0.3% above the rate of inflation
Million pound boost to extend homelessness help to thousands
10 January, 2013
A cash injection of £1.2 million will help thousands of vulnerable people into the rented homes they need, Mark Prisk said today
There is a problem with welfare, but it's not 'shirkers'
09 January, 2013
This economic model isn't delivering jobs or decent wages. The real scroungers are greedy landlords and employers
Landlords' body warns MPs that a vote to cap benefits will boost homelessness
08 January, 2013
A vote in favour of capping benefits is a vote in favour of rising homelessness, a landlords' organisation has suggested, as it spoke out ahead of a crucial Commons vote later today
Private sector letting and managing agents (England): should they be regulated?
04 January, 2013
Briefing by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Liverpool's landlords facing new licensing scheme
04 January, 2013
Liverpool's landlords may have to sign up to a new licensing scheme, as the council considers ways of improving the quality of rented accommodation in the city
Millions behind with rent and mortgage payments
04 January, 2013
Millions of households are struggling to maintain rent and mortgage payments in the face of the government's austerity measure
Tenant arrears fall by 16%
04 January, 2013
It's good news for landlords as the number of tenants in severe arrears has fallen for the first time in over a year
Paying the housing element of Universal Credit direct to tenants in social rented housing
03 January, 2013
Briefing by the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Registration scheme to target rogue landlords begins
02 January, 2013
Newham Council in east London is becoming the first local authority in England to introduce a compulsory system of landlord registration
New Orleans singer-songwriter releases single to support UK homelessness charity
02 January, 2013
A New Orleans born singer-songwriter has released a single to raise money for a UK-based homeless charity
Housing is in crisis, yet the coalition does nothing
02 January, 2013
Scotland is taking the lead in housing the homeless. If only Westminster did likewise
Buy-to-let landlords' buying spree will keep more families in rental trap
01 January, 2013
Rightmove predicts three-quarters of professional landlords will buy more homes in 2013, as MPs begin to look at the issue
Landlords urged to meet tenancy deposit scheme deadline
01 January, 2013
Landlords have been urged to register for a compulsory scheme designed to protect tenants' deposits before new rules take effect
Young claimants shut out of private rented sector
24 December, 2012
Just 1.5 % of rental properties are available to single people on benefits, according to research from homelessness charity Crisis
Temporary accommodation
21 December, 2012
NHF submission to DWP in response to their update on temporary accommodation reforms
Editor's blog: my Christmas wish is for housing to find a voice on welfare
21 December, 2012
Latest evidence on rent arrears under universal credit is damning, but next analysis will come too late
Homelessness charities stretched to breaking point
20 December, 2012
Homelessness has risen and funding has dwindled, but charities have coped so far
Homeless claims rise in Wales for second year in row
20 December, 2012
The number of people in Wales claiming help from councils for homelessness has gone up for the second year running
Homelessness, July to September 2012
20 December, 2012
This Welsh Government quarterly release provides summary information on local housing authorities' activities under homelessness legislation
The homelessness monitor: England 2012
19 December, 2012
The homelessness monitor is a five year study that will provide an independent analysis of the impact on homelessness of recent economic and policy developments in England.
Cameron finally admits he lied on HB
19 December, 2012
Back in January 2012 at PMQS Cameron said Housing Benefit has reduced and then claimed when challenged on this that it had fallen and consistently maintained that line
Spectre of homelessness even more desperate in rural areas than in cities
19 December, 2012
The spectre of homelessness is as bad if not worse in rural areas than in cities, a housing association has warned
Down and out in Paris: the frustration and tedium of homelessness
19 December, 2012
Three years ago, Eric had a house, two cars and a 2,000 Euro monthly income. His descent to a life of refuges and park benches has been swift and shocking
Stories from the frontline of homelessness
13 December, 2012
In England today, people from more than 50,000 households are living in temporary accommodation and councils are overwhelmed with demand
Video: Panorama - Britain's Hidden Housing Crisis - Thurs 21.00
13 December, 2012
Britain is in the grip of a housing crisis of a sort not seen before, where even the most unexpected people are losing their homes
Cultures of worklessness - we need to focus on work, not welfare
13 December, 2012
It's popular for politicians to talk about generations of the same family that have never worked
Cameron defends welfare cuts, saying Tories are 'party for people who work'
13 December, 2012
PM clashes in Commons with Ed Miliband as he admits cuts announced by chancellor will hit workers in receipt of tax credits
DWP: Direct Payments Demonstration Projects: Findings from a baseline survey of tenants in five project areas in England and Wales
10 December, 2012
DWP Demonstration Project report
18% of UK's private landlords do not have required insurance
10 December, 2012
Almost one in five of the UK's private landlords do not have the required insurance on their properties, new research has revealed
Autumn Statement: At-a-glance summary of key point
05 December, 2012
Chancellor George Osborne has updated MPs on the state of the economy and the government's future plans in his Autumn Statemen
Study of accredited landlords finds they prefer vetted tenants too
05 December, 2012
Survey of landlords offers guidance for local authorities, but reveals stark differences between tenants and owners
Housing ALMOs branching out to deliver range of services
03 December, 2012
ALMOs are branching out from their core business of managing council homes to provide a growing range of services for other landlords
Landlord warning on Benefits Changes
30 November, 2012
The National Landlords Association has concerns about changes to benefits
Time to think big
30 November, 2012
If housing providers get these details right, private rent will take off
Autumn statement: what it means for housing
29 November, 2012
Find out all about the autumn statement, what it means for the sector and what we expect
October Market Trend Data from Land Registry
29 November, 2012
October house prices down 0.3 per cent since September
RICs Members reveal damaging impact of empty property rates
28 November, 2012
Results of research from our expert members into the effect of business rates on empty property
Why landlords should stop asking tenants for deposits
28 November, 2012
One landlord has stopped taking deposits from new tenants to avoid poisoning a relationship that should be built on trust
Poor housing can 'lead to mental health problems'
27 November, 2012
Councils, landlords and other agencies should work together to help vulnerable people living in bedsits
Households miss out on energy efficiency work
27 November, 2012
Around 3.4 million privately rented and owner occupied households could still benefit from a scheme to improve home energy efficiency
Landlords cut number of empty homes
26 November, 2012
Almost 20,000 empty homes were brought back into use in England over the last year
Mortgage approvals exceed expectations
26 November, 2012
Green shoots in the house buying market after mortgage approvals rose to their highest level in nine months in October
Time to curb lettings agents, says Which?
26 November, 2012
Consumer group Which? has called for the lettings market to be regulated in the same way as house sales after exposure of widespread abuse
Leicester City Council plans to cut homeless places
23 November, 2012
Accommodation for homeless families and individuals could be cut under Leicester City Council plans
Scottish Government bans letting agents' additional charges
23 November, 2012
All letting agent and landlord charges except rent and refundable deposits have been outlawed by the Scottish Government
Benefit reforms could increase homelessness, warns housing group
22 November, 2012
Homelessness could increase and more people may turn into the hands of loan sharks if welfare reforms go ahead, a housing organisation says
Housing shortage affects thousands as homelessness rises in the East Midlands
22 November, 2012
Home Truths: East Midlands 2012, a new report by the National Housing Federation, found that whilst around 22,000 new households formed in the region in 2011/12, only 9,930 new homes were built
SFHA Launches Report on Impact of Welfare Reforms
20 November, 2012
There is still time for the UK Government to change its welfare reform proposals to avoid unfairly penalising tenants and landlords
Investment fund looks to build real future for homeless
19 November, 2012
Homelessness charity Broadway has launched a social impact investment fund which aims to provide housing for vulnerable people while generating an income for investors
Unemployment drops below 8% but JSA claimant level rises
14 November, 2012
The unemployment rate has fallen below 8% for the first time since January 2009 but the amount of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance has risen, new figures show
Landlord sells care business
14 November, 2012
Viridian Housing has announced the sale of eight residential care homes in order to focus on their housing services
Helping the homeless
14 November, 2012
Housing the homeless is among the serious of responsibilites for a local authority
Names of 151 homeless read out at service
13 November, 2012
The names of 151 homeless and formerly homeless people who have died over the last year were read out during the annual commemoration service in London
Report shows value of homeless social enterprises
13 November, 2012
A group of social enterprises working with homeless people generates an £11 return for every £1 invested, a report found
'Beyond cynical': ministers, housing benefit cuts, and homelessness
13 November, 2012
There has been uproar over council plans to house vulnerable homeless families many miles away from where they live
Homeless bound? Homelessness in London, the South East and East of England
13 November, 2012
With homeless numbers on the rise again, the face of homelessness is changing
HB Direct
09 November, 2012
November 2012 - includes information on Council Tax Support, Supported 'exempt' accommodation and Universal Credit, Temporary accommodation, Universal Credit and the HB Direct pilots
81% of private landlords see properties as pensions
08 November, 2012
Four-fifths of Britain's private landlords claim that their properties are their pensions, according to new research
Landlords reject direct payment plans
07 November, 2012
Private landlords would be less likely to rent to benefit claimants if it is up to councils to decide whether housing benefit can be paid direct to the landlord after tenants reach eight weeks arrears
Six tips for landlords to reduce void rental periods
07 November, 2012
Welfare reform will lead to repossessions and properties being abandoned by tenants. Here's how to get it back into use quickly
Between a rock and a hard place - the early impacts of Welfare Reform on London
06 November, 2012
CPAG Report
The best of British banking
06 November, 2012
A report by Accent on basic bank accounts for Consumer Focus
Direct payment to landlord scheme has cut private rents, says Freud
05 November, 2012
A temporary scheme to enable private landlords to receive direct housing benefit payments in return for dropping rents has been a success, welfare reform minister Lord Freud has said
London rents to rise 5% a year over next decade
05 November, 2012
Rents in London are forecast to rise 5% annually over the next 10 years, as the supply of housing in the capital fails to meet the needs of people working in the city
Housing benefit changes: Warning over affordable housing shortfalls
01 November, 2012
Plans to change the way HB is calculated could leave half of local authority areas in England with shortfalls of properties affordable to LHA claimants, the NAO
Tenants using range of payment options in Universal Credit trial
31 October, 2012
Tenants involved in the Government's direct payment demonstration projects are preferring to use a range of options to pay their rent, according to the DWP
Government bypasses landlords to increase Right-to-Buy sales
31 October, 2012
The Government has sent letters to more than 213,000 council and housing association tenants in London encouraging them to exercise the Right-to-Buy (RTB) their homes
Implementing Universal Credit: will the reforms improve the service for users?
30 October, 2012
Report by CESI
Universal Credit a 'potential poverty trap'
30 October, 2012
Universal Credit has major flaws that will need to be addressed to avoid becoming a potential poverty trap, a new report has concluded
DWP issues warnings to households in benefit cap hotspots
30 October, 2012
Nearly 89,000 households across Great Britain may be affected by next April's household benefit cap, with 42% living in social housing, according to the DWP
Inside justice: London Rent Assessment Panel
30 October, 2012
Samir Jeraj observes an independent panel settle private rental disputes, including a rare case of a flat with 'fair rent' controls
Monitoring the impact of recent measures affecting Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowances in the private rented sector in Northern Ireland
29 October, 2012
Research on Northern Ireland's private rented sector housing market
Lord Freud told to explain 'unique circumstances' of direct payments concession
29 October, 2012
A Labour MP has called for an urgent debate or statement from Lord Freud as to why he has let tenants in Northern Ireland continue to have HB paid directly to their landlord under UC
Mark Prisk: 'private rents have fallen'
29 October, 2012
The housing minister Mark Prisk says private sector rents have fallen in real terms, despite evidence to suggest they are soaring across the country - and increasing the housing benefit bill
IDS plans 'two-child' family benefit cap
26 October, 2012
Families claiming child-related benefits may find the amount they are entitled to capped at two children, the work and pensions secretary said today
Landlords to access tenants benefit data
26 October, 2012
Housing associations in Liverpool have launched a new IT system with the city council's benefits service that will give them access to tenants' benefit data
Open letter to landlords: why renting to housing benefit claimants makes sense
26 October, 2012
Put those prejudices aside. This is a real period of opportunity for those letting properties in the private rented sector
Doubts cast on green deal cash back scheme
25 October, 2012
Construction groups have questioned whether £125 million of cashback payments will be sufficient to encourage take up of the green deal energy efficiency scheme
London councils failing private tenants and landlords
25 October, 2012
It's true that amateur landlords need better education - but local authorities need to play their part by providing more information
Universal Credit: Northern Ireland to continue direct payments to landlords
23 October, 2012
Tenants in Northern Ireland will still be able to have their housing costs paid directly to their landlord, it has been announced
PRS 'will be free' of affordable homes requirement
23 October, 2012
The head of a review of the private rented sector has said he expects his key recommendation that PRS homes should be freed from affordable housing planning requirements to be implemented
Housing benefit limit only for future claimants
22 October, 2012
Plans to end housing benefit for under-25s would only apply to new claimants, the Department for Work and Pensions has said
Rents rocket to new high as tenants 'lengthening stay in PRS'
22 October, 2012
Rents rose in seven regions across England and Wales last month and have hit a new high of £741 a month, according to the latest buy-to-let index from LSL Property Services
Home Truths 2012: the housing market in England
22 October, 2012
This National Housing Federation report says that by the next election one million earners will be dependent on welfare to afford rent
Industry pans payment control
19 October, 2012
Plans to introduce pre-payment cards to restrict how groups of people spend their benefit money risk stigmatising claimants, housing organisations have warned
Montague must please investors, taxpayers and consumers
19 October, 2012
Strategy to attract private investment into rented housing ignores our national culture and business demands
A warning to investors: the era of buy-to-let is over
18 October, 2012
Investors must use cash assets, avoid gearing and only pay a fair price for property to avoid an all out market crash
Is Shelter's campaign against 'rogue landlords'helpful for private tenants
16 October, 2012
Law-breaking landlords aren't the sole blight on the private rented sector, despite Shelter's eye--catching campaign
Green Deal Quick Guides
15 October, 2012
Quick guides on the Green Deal are available for householders, owners, tenants and landlords
171,000 single parents could lose their homes
12 October, 2012
More than 171,000 single parents could be forced to move home if housing benefit is axed for under-25s
London Fire Brigade in new "beds in sheds" warning after shocking figures published
11 October, 2012
The London Fire Brigade has published shocking new figures showing the risk to life posed by the capital's "beds in sheds" epidemic
British Gas and Shelter launch 'Decent Homes' for private rented sector
10 October, 2012
Shelter and British Gas have launched an ambitious partnership to improve the standard of one million homes in a kind of Decent Homes programme for the private rented sector
Osborne's housing benefit proposals 'will hit families with children hardest'
09 October, 2012
Charities say impact of cutting housing benefit for under-25s would be to discourage mobility and increase homelessness
Cutting under-25's housing benefit will increase youth homelessness
09 October, 2012
History tells us that George Osborne's plan to remove housing benefit based on age instead of need will have a severe impact on young people
Tory MP outlines exemptions to under-25s benefit cut
09 October, 2012
Plans to stop under-25s claiming housing benefit would not affect anyone coming out of care or fleeing domestic violence, a parliamentary aide has clarified
Thousands of tenants lives threatened by rogue landlords
05 October, 2012
The lives of thousands of tenants are being put at risk by England's rogue landlords, a report by Shelter has revealed
Landlord complaints increasing, says charity Shelter
04 October, 2012
Complaints about landlords in England have risen by more than a quarter in recent years, the charity Shelter says
3 landlords sign up to council's lettings scheme
04 October, 2012
A council has already seen three landlords sign up to its new service for helping families into accommodation
Universal Credit could exclude people without Internet access
01 October, 2012
People with little or no IT skills could have difficulty applying for the UK Government's new Universal Credit
Rise in house shares with six or more bedrooms as demand increases for cheaper rooms
27 September, 2012
Figures released by flat and house-share website SpareRoom.co.uk show that house shares with six or more bedrooms are the fastest-growing property type as landlords react to increased demand for lower rents
First squatter jailed under new law
27 September, 2012
Alex Haigh, who had come to London seeking work, sentenced to 12 weeks in prison for occupying flat without permission
Finding and sustaining a home in the Private Rented Sector - The essentials
26 September, 2012
Shelter report - A guide for frontline staff working with homeless offenders
Universal credit to exclude supported housing costs
25 September, 2012
Homelessness charities have welcomed a decision by the Department for Work and Pensions to exclude supported accommodation from universal credit
Hefty fine for unlicenced flat landlord
25 September, 2012
A landlord has been fined £10,000 after failing to licence 20 flats
Near 50% increase in households renting privately in five years
24 September, 2012
Also according to a new report, an additional £57bn funding will be needed per year if the sector is to provide the homes needed to meet demand
Landlords and tenants lock horn over energy efficiency
24 September, 2012
Social landlords and tenants are at odds over who should pay for energy-saving measures such as insulation, an exclusive survey shows
Shelter calls for five-year rental contracts
21 September, 2012
Housing charity says a 'stable rental contract' would allow tenants to put down roots and give landlords more certainty
Private renting in London: a little less conversation please
21 September, 2012
It's expensive and often substandard with unreasonable landlords - it's time the sector was improved
Buy-to-let Index
21 September, 2012
Rents have risen for a fifth consecutive month with tenants seeing record highs in five regions in August, according to the latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services
Universal Credit: Freud lays down criteria for new bank accounts
19 September, 2012
Ministers are calling for a range of suppliers to explore the feasibility of new financial products to help benefit claimants budget and manage their money under Universal Credit
Homeowners offered grants to house social tenants
19 September, 2012
Cherwell DC is offering owners of empty homes grants of up to £15k to renovate their houses in exchange for allowing the properties to be temporarily used as social housing
Freud: New financial products to help Universal Credit claimants manage money
18 September, 2012
Ministers are calling for a range of suppliers to explore the feasibility of new financial products to help benefit claimants budget and manage their money
DWP clarifies advance payments' for Universal Credit claimants
18 September, 2012
Welfare reform minister Lord Freud says benefit claimants used to being paid fortnightly will be able to opt in for an advance payment to bridge them on to the monthly system of Universal Credit
Mark Prisk pledges to work with housing sector
18 September, 2012
New housing minister says he intends to make use of sector's expertise and promises long-term plan for the housing crisis
The housing benefits cap means a wretched life for thousands in B&Bs;
17 September, 2012
Iain Duncan Smith's welfare reform will leave families already on the lowest housing rung with nowhere to go
Lettings agents need more effective regulation
14 September, 2012
Now that the private rented sector is the second largest tenure in the market, it's time to make agencies more transparent
More than 1,000 of Hackney's private lets out of reach for benefit claimants
13 September, 2012
Only 143 of 1,585 properties available in Hackney in June 2012 were available under housing benefit levels
Buying cheaper than renting in 88% of UK
12 September, 2012
It is cheaper to pay a mortgage than to rent in 88% of British towns, a new report by Zoopla reveals
Rental market in London and the south-east is 'overheating'
12 September, 2012
Rightmove survey says about 30% of tenants in the south-east are spending more than 50% of their take-home pay on rent
To have or have not? Taking responsibility for tomorrow's affordable homes today
12 September, 2012
Report by Housing Voice - The Affordable Housing Alliance
PRS investigation seeks views of tenants
12 September, 2012
Tenants are being asked to share their experiences of renting from private landlords as part of a London Assembly investigation
Universal credits and changes to benefit claims debate
11 September, 2012
The row over the new universal credits - with a government bid to simplify benefits - saw Welfare Secretary Iain Duncan Smith face questions from MPs in the Commons
Fears raised over digital benefits
10 September, 2012
MPs have been warned that people from disadvantaged backgrounds may suffer if the government pushes ahead with plans to digitise the benefits system
Landlords move to accommodate rising number of tenants
10 September, 2012
As buying a home is no longer an option for many, the market is seeking ways to increase long-term, private renting
NLA gas safety advice and guidance
06 September, 2012
In support of Gas Safety Week, the NLA's gas safety advice and guidance will be free to access during September
Figures show 9% surge in homelessness
06 September, 2012
The number of homeless households in England has risen by 9% since last year, according to the latest government figures.
Call for more flexibility on shared ownership
06 September, 2012
A trio of south-east landlords has opened the door to introducing more flexiblility with shared ownership after research they commissioned revealed that it would present 'significant opportunities'.
Government agrees £300m affordable homes fund
06 September, 2012
The government has announced £300 million of capital funding to build 15,000 affordable homes as part of a series of measures designed to stem the slump in house building.
Housing association offers £10,000 to release spare bedrooms
06 September, 2012
To tackle the bedroom tax, Viridian has introduced an incentive scheme helping under-occupiers switch accommodation.
PRS developments 'need right infrastructure'
05 September, 2012
New private rented sector developments must also include the infrastructure and amenities to cope with the increased number of people, warns London Councils
Plans to move Iain Duncan Smith is hardly reassuring for housing associations
05 September, 2012
According to reports, IDS was offered the Ministry of Justice role, with the Government keen on the hard-line approach of Chris Grayling to spearhead its further assault on the welfare bill
App launched to end deposit disputes
04 September, 2012
A homelessness charity in Scotland has launched a smartphone application developed to end deposit disputes between tenants and landlords
Advice on dealing with squatters in your home
04 September, 2012
This publication is aimed at informing property owners about the new offence and the procedures for regaining possession of their properties from squatters
Freud announces successful Local Authority led Universal Credit pilots
03 September, 2012
The DWP has named the local authorities that will pilot support for Universal Credit claimants ahead of its implementation next October
Rules regarding flats above shops to be relaxed, Eric Pickles announces
03 September, 2012
Developers will be able to create two flats instead of one above retail premises without planning permission
Law criminalising squatting to be challenged in court by cottage dweller
03 September, 2012
Irene Gardiner bringing case against Crown Prosecution Service and police over law change that could make her homeless
Dealing with Rogue Landlords - A Guide for Local Authorities
03 September, 2012
This guidance urges local authorities to crack down on rogue landlords and provides them with practical advice for doing so.
Beds in sheds shouldn't distract us from the real housing crisis
03 September, 2012
The coalition's cuts to capital spending are decimating the house building sector
London borough facing £3m shortfall in council tax benefit shake-up
03 September, 2012
Islington Council says it's facing a £3m shortfall in funding to support residents with their council tax as a result of Government reforms
NHF commissions welfare reform study
03 September, 2012
The NHF has commissioned Ipsos Mori & Cambridge University to carry out a sector-wide assessment of how the gov's welfare changes will hit landlords and their tenants
Squatting set to become a criminal offence
31 August, 2012
Squatting in a residential building in England and Wales becomes a criminal offence on Saturday, meaning squatters would face jail or a fine
Major clampdown launched on 'beds in sheds'
31 August, 2012
Ministers today launched a major clampdown on rogue landlords to bring an end to suburban shanty towns that trap vulnerable people
Plans for family homes scrapped
31 August, 2012
Landlords are revising development plans due to effect of bedroom tax
50% PRS landlords experience arrears
29 August, 2012
Almost half of private landlords have experienced rent arrears in the last year, according to a survey.
'Jam Jar' Accounts
28 August, 2012
Landlords are beginning to develop their own mechanisms to protect their rental income.
Give Montague a chance
28 August, 2012
Why I think the housing backlash against the Montague report is being overdone
Letting agent fees law to be tightened
28 August, 2012
Scottish rent laws are to be clarified to ensure letting agents do not charge private tenants unlawful fees.
Montague calls for 10 to 20-year rental agreements
24 August, 2012
Councils should be able to "waive affordable housing requirements" on schemes for private rent and ensure new homes remain in the rental sector for up to 21 years
Landlords pay tenants to open 'jam jar' accounts
24 August, 2012
Housing associations are paying tenants to open credit union accounts to protect their rental income from forthcoming welfare reforms.By encouraging tenants to open 'jam jar' accounts the organisations hope to ease the impact of the universal credit, which will be phased in from October 2013.
Landlord offering £10,000 for 10 years for empty homes
24 August, 2012
A Hereford-based housing association has received funding to bring 15 empty homes back into use, and will pay £10,000 for a 10 year lease.
Ministers consider new wave of publicly funded housebuilding
23 August, 2012
Report into housing shortage proposes relaxing planning regulations in effort to kick-start ailing construction industry
Britain's 'most expensive council house' can't be sold
23 August, 2012
A council property labelled Britain's "most expensive" by a right-wing think tank can't be sold, it has emerged.
Beating the bedroom tax
23 August, 2012
Landlords will do what they can to help under-occupying tenants, but concerns remain for disabled tenants
Preventing the poverty premium - Lottery invests over £31m
23 August, 2012
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis, National Housing Federation and Citizens Advice are backing a multi-million pound Big Lottery Fund initiative aimed at preventing thousands of the most vulnerable people living in social housing across England from falling into a spiral of debt
Economic pressures drive young adults home to roost
23 August, 2012
Families rediscover the financial benefits of intergenerational living as high house prices, increased unemployment and care issues take their toll, Aviva report says
Right-to-buy part: London's new equity scheme for tenants
23 August, 2012
Hammersmith & Fulham designs product for tenants priced out of the right-to-buy, where family homes cost £1m
Radical changes needed for private rented sector
23 August, 2012
Radical changes to the planning system are needed to stimulate investment in private rented housing, according to an influential government-commissioned review
Does Montague live up to expectations? It must be worth a shot
23 August, 2012
With such catastrophic rates of housebuilding, Sir Adrian Montague's recommendations deserve to be given a chance
London's housing crisis hotspots1 in 10 Londoners are on council housing waiting lists
22 August, 2012
Andrew Fisher from the Left Economics Advisory Panel (LEAP) explains the latest shocking waiting list statistics
Publicising discretionary hardship fund criticised
17 August, 2012
A call on councils to more aggressively promote a hardship fund by the Department for Work and Pensions has been criticised
Feeling the strain - DHPs
17 August, 2012
An in-depth look at the system of Discretionary Housing Payments by Keith Cooper, Inside Housing
House prices rise three times as much as incomes over ten years
17 August, 2012
The cost of buying a home in England increased by more than three times the rate of an average salary over the past 10 years, according to research from the NHF
Buy-to-let index - July 2012
17 August, 2012
Private sector rents rose to a new record high in July, according to the latest Buy-to-Let Index from LSL Property Services
Publicising discretionary hardship fund criticised
17 August, 2012
A call on councils to more aggressively promote a hardship fund by the Department for Work and Pensions has been criticised
London rents '85% more expensive than rest of UK'
15 August, 2012
Renting a home in Greater London is now 85% more expensive than anywhere else in the UK - the largest difference ever recorded, according to research
Landlord urges tenants to use 'jam jar' accounts
15 August, 2012
A west midlands landlord is encouraging tenants to set up 'jam jar' accounts with a local credit union to help them manage their finances once welfare reforms come into force
Private tenants see eviction orders soar
14 August, 2012
New figures show there has been a 70% rise in court orders to evict private tenants over the past three years.
Consultation on a strategy for the Scottish private rented sector
14 August, 2012
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on a strategy for the Scottish private rented sector
LIN Member Report August 2012 - Welfare Reform Case Study - Vela Group
13 August, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Claire Turner, Lynn McPartlin and Anthony Scarre.
Private sector rents up 4% in a year with further hikes predicted - RICS
13 August, 2012
The cost of renting a home in the private sector has risen by more than 4% in the last year as would-be buyers continue to find themselves locked out of home-ownership
Why are older people exempted from the impact of welfare reform?
13 August, 2012
Elderly people commonly underoccupy property, overconsume assets, and put pressure on rent and house prices
Editor's blog: five unanswered questions about welfare reform
13 August, 2012
With the weight of expectation lying on their shoulders, housing providers wait for clarity and confidence from government
Buy-to-let lending increased in the second quarter
10 August, 2012
Buy-to-let lending increased by 5% in the second quarter of 2012, according to data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders
Councils stockpile benefits war chest
10 August, 2012
Councils are stockpiling money from a hardship fund that helps tenants hit by welfare reforms because they are expecting a huge jump in need next year
Localising the social fund: moving too fast?
09 August, 2012
Councils are left with little time to prepare for the responsibility of awarding crisis loans and community care grants
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
09 August, 2012
Council of Mortgage Lenders response (part 1) to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
09 August, 2012
Council of Mortgage Lenders response (part 2) to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
LIN Press release - Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects
09 August, 2012
Evaluation of the Direct Payment Demonstration Projects- Emerging Learning
Housing benefit: 'Homes will have to be handed to the private sector'
09 August, 2012
Notting Hill Housing faces an end to 700 tenancies when the housing benefit cap hits London households next year
Universal credit doesn't help tenants off benefits and into work
08 August, 2012
New regulations remove the incentives that support unemployed residents back into work
What is 'vulnerable'?
08 August, 2012
If you thought the new Universal Credit regulations were done, dusted and ready for implementation, you'd be wrong.
No right to remain
08 August, 2012
In the case of Birmingham Council v Lloyd, the Court of Appeal has reassured housing providers that only in exceptional circumstances can a trespasser win the ability to stay
Working lives: preparing for direct payment of housing benefit
08 August, 2012
Vulnerable tenants will see housing benefit paid directly to their landlord despite Universal Credit. But who is considered vulnerable?
Fears over 38-day wait for Universal Credit
07 August, 2012
The Government should allow all Universal Credit claimants to opt for fortnightly payments for a temporary period
Lord Freud: 'We must allow people to run their lives independently'
07 August, 2012
The architect of welfare reform on how the DWP will tackle low pay and how the housing sector can help tenants off benefits
Landlords show green credentials
07 August, 2012
According to the National Landlords landlords are proactively working to improve the energy efficiency of their properties
Spot checks for council house tenants in mid Devon
06 August, 2012
Council house tenants in one Devon authority could face unannounced checks on their homes
Refuges 'under threat' from shake-up of benefit rules
06 August, 2012
A charity that runs refuges for victims of domestic violence will have to close all its centres, because of planned changes to benefit rules
Wales to launch 'NHS-style' welfare service
06 August, 2012
Welsh housing minister pledges to create an 'NHS-type' welfare advice service to cope with a predicted spike in the number of people hit by welfare reforms
Universal Credit: Confusion over who informs DWP of rent changes
02 August, 2012
Housing Associations are seeking clarity over who will inform the DWP about annual rent increases under Universal Credit
Should we return to intensive housing management?
02 August, 2012
Reform of the social housing system means landlords must take advantage of new opportunities to meet tenants' needs
DHPs - Public Consultation
02 August, 2012
Consultation seeking views on the Discretionary Housing Payments guidance manual. Consultation closing date 31.8.12
Council tax on Welsh empty homes could double
02 August, 2012
Councils in Wales could be allowed to charge up to double the cost of council tax on long-term empty homes
Getting tenants online: housing officers as digital champions
02 August, 2012
There is a serious lack of personal digital skills in the UK and we need a new kind of housing officer who can train tenants
Private landlords fail to understand council support schemes
01 August, 2012
Projects to encourage landlords to engage with councils and free up local accommodation have failed to make an impact
LIN Press release - DWP model documents
01 August, 2012
Support for Housing Benefit claimants to meet any rent shortfall - model documents
Sustain: a longitudinal study of housing wellbeing in the private rented sector
01 August, 2012
Crisis Interim report 2012
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
01 August, 2012
Crisis response to the SSAC consultation on Universal Credit
Launch of final round of funding for private rented sector schemes
01 August, 2012
Crisis is inviting final bids for funding under a £10.8 million scheme to help homeless people secure private rented accommodation (closing date 17.9.12)
Housing Scotland Act to protect tenants from eviction
01 August, 2012
A law which makes it harder for councils and housing associations to evict tenants for failing to pay their rent has come into force
Housing associations offer £50 cashback for tenants to switch to direct debit
01 August, 2012
Adactus Group tenants are being offered £50 cashback if they switch to paying their rent by direct debit
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
01 August, 2012
St Mungo's response to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
31 July, 2012
NHF response to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
PRS properties 'should meet decent homes test'
31 July, 2012
Private landlords should be forced to refurbish their homes to the equivalent of the decent homes standard, a leading Labour thinker has suggested
How Mental Capacity Act responsibilities go beyond 'duty of care'
31 July, 2012
Article, reproduced from the English Community Care Association newsletter
Fairer by design: efficient tax reform for those on low to middle incomes
31 July, 2012
Tax rules favour mansion owners over council tenants
Social Security Advisory Committee's call for evidence on the Universal Credit regulations
31 July, 2012
CIH response response to the SSAC: Universal Credit and related regulations
Making progress - An analysis of improvements made by energy companies for their prepayment customers
30 July, 2012
Consumer Focus report
Number of tenants in arrears goes up, says research
30 July, 2012
The number of tenants falling into rental arrears has risen, according to new research
Editor's blog: welfare reform could push vulnerable families into debt
30 July, 2012
As a doorstep lender reports a 17% rise in profits, can landlords prevent tenants resorting to creditors to plug the gap?
Rich as houses? The facts about asset-based wealth
30 July, 2012
Homeownership has boosted asset wealth, but the poorest tenth of owners gained assets of little practical use
Homelessness: consultation response
30 July, 2012
NHF response to new regulations on housing homeless families in the private rented sector
Crisis report published on 1st year private renting schemes
30 July, 2012
Crisis Private Renting Access Programme Yr 1 report
Shelter bids to recoup 'illegal' letting agent fees
27 July, 2012
Housing charity Shelter Scotland said more than £100,000 could be repaid to private tenants who have been charged unlawful fees by letting agents
Fears council tax benefit cut will jeopardise income
27 July, 2012
Councils across England are devising strategies to protect tenants and prevent arrears from rocketing due to a 10 per cent cut to council tax benefit
Private sector rental arrears rising
27 July, 2012
Rental arrears on the rise: Landlords and tenants must work together, says the NLA
Fears council tax benefit cut will jeopardise income
27 July, 2012
Councils across England are devising strategies to protect tenants and prevent arrears from rocketing due to a 10 per cent cut to council tax benefit
Benefit reforms will cause 'family breakdown'
26 July, 2012
New rules will leave young benefit claimants struggling to contribute towards their households' rent, leading to family breakdown, housing bodies have warned
Tax and benefit policy: insights from behavioural economics
25 July, 2012
Institute for Fiscal Studies report
Is the Government set to merge the two rented sectors?
25 July, 2012
Within the current housing and political landscape how long will it be before the Government merges the two rented sectors into one?
Charity calls for Scottish PRS to be 'fit for purpose'
25 July, 2012
A homeless charity in Scotland has called on the government to reform the private rented sector to make it fit for increasing demand
Universal Credit Regulations: SSAC call for evidence
24 July, 2012
Read this new briefing before sending your response to the Social Security Advisory Committee
UK's smallest private landlords struggling with voids and arrears
24 July, 2012
The UK's smallest private landlords - those renting out one property - are struggling as they feel the impact of voids and rent arrears
A rogue policy: Newham's licencing scheme will damage private rent
24 July, 2012
Newham council and the Welsh Government should be commended for tackling rogue landlords but ill-conceived policies will hinder, not help
Rents rise in England and Wales, says survey
23 July, 2012
Rents in London rose again to hit a new high for the second month in succession, according to figures from LSL
Landlords planning on buying more property
20 July, 2012
Up to 60% of landlords are planning on expanding their property empires in the next six months
Cap private rent and build more council homes
20 July, 2012
The government's response to the housing crisis has been to attack exploited tenants, rather than deal with abusive landlords
UK housing third least affordable in Europe
20 July, 2012
Families in the UK are among the worst off in Europe when it comes to housing costs
London borough secures court win after man rented garden shed
20 July, 2012
A London borough has scored a court win against a man who flouted planning rules and rented out a garden shed
Rise in working housing benefit claimants
20 July, 2012
The number of employed people claiming housing benefit has increased again - despite a drop in the overall number of claimants
Online push for Universal Credit claims
18 July, 2012
Claimants of a new universal benefit will be pushed to complete forms online when the new system starts next year
Labour bids to end letting agent fees 'scandal' in private rented sector
18 July, 2012
Labour has vowed to tackle the unregulated lettings market in the private rented sector and is considering setting up a regulatory body
Green deal will 'fail' without fuel poverty changes
18 July, 2012
Consumer groups have written to the energy and climate change secretary warning the green deal could 'fail on all fronts' if it is not improved
Benefit cap
17 July, 2012
Ad hoc statistics on early feedback from claimants who are at risk of having their benefit capped in April 2013
Universal Credit benefit reforms 'threatened by IT system'
16 July, 2012
Flagship reforms of the welfare system are under threat because the IT scheme behind the project is £100m over budget and plagued by glitches
42% of renters cannot afford to save deposit for own home
16 July, 2012
New research has found that 42% of renters cannot afford to save a deposit for their own home
Over 3,500 Westminster council flats now owned by private landlords
16 July, 2012
Over 3,500 former Westminster council flats sold under the Right To Buy are now in the hands of private landlords
Families feel the big squeeze as overcrowding spreads
13 July, 2012
One in four London children living in cramped conditions, with problem affecting previously untouched areas of Britain
LIN Member Report July 2012 - Changes to the local housing allowance system: its effects on tenants and landlords
13 July, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
DWP to close bedroom tax loophole
12 July, 2012
The Department for Work and Pensions has pledged to close a loophole which would have inadvertently exempted long-term housing association tenants from the bedroom tax
Housing groups join forces to develop 'fully flexible tenure' model
12 July, 2012
A group of South East-based HA's are joining forces to develop a deliverable model of 'fully flexible tenure' allowing tenants to move towards home ownership
Private renters now equal social renting market share, according to English Housing Survey
11 July, 2012
Home ownership remains the dominant tenure but its significance is waning as England fast becomes a nation of renters according to English Housing Survey
Housing benefit cheat sent child to private school
10 July, 2012
A housing benefit cheat who lied about being a single mother sent her child to a private school in Ireland
Landlord struck with huge fine after cramming 28 flats into four houses
10 July, 2012
A rogue landlord has been struck with an enormous £320k fine, Vispasp Sarkari has 6 months to find the money or he'll face jail
Paying the rent? There should be an app for that
10 July, 2012
An 'app club' will help share the cost and risk of developing a mobile application helping tenants pay rent and report repairs
Jargon warning after 40 different households ignore same benefit cut letter
10 July, 2012
Lambeth councillor warns social landlords to carefully consider communications to tenants around welfare reform after 40 households ignore benefit cut letter
Universal credit to support payments to landlords
09 July, 2012
The government will have the ability to make payments of the housing element of universal credit direct to landlords from the start of the scheme
Universal Credit - frequently asked questions
09 July, 2012
Frequently asked questions on the Universal Credit benefits system.
YouGov: over 50% support housing benefit cut for under 25s
09 July, 2012
A YouGov poll has found that 53% of respondents support the Prime Minister's plans to cut housing benefits for the under 25s
Under 25s to be offered two-year council tenancies in London borough
09 July, 2012
Most young people under 25 will be offered 2 year fixed-term tenancies in Barnet, while the majority of new tenants will be offered 5 year terms
London councils seek 150 homes outside London
09 July, 2012
Four south London councils are in talks to lease 150 properties outside London to temporarily house homeless families because of rising private rents in the capital
Localising support for council tax
09 July, 2012
A statement of intent on information sharing and powers to tackle fraud
Why councils should take civil action against rogue private landlords
09 July, 2012
Criminal prosecutions have proved a poor deterrant and resources can be better used supporting tenants elsewhere
Welfare cuts: housing benefit claimants not welcome here
06 July, 2012
Only a fraction of private rented homes in Hackney are affordable under welfare reforms, and many L/L's are actively refusing to let to HB recipients
Deal struck to allow tenants without bank accounts to receive Universal Credit
06 July, 2012
The Government has struck a deal to allow tenants without bank accounts to receive the new Universal Credit directly from next year
Crackdown in Brent on 'beds in sheds' menace
06 July, 2012
Brent Council is to begin a crackdown on the problem of 'beds in sheds' in the borough
Housing benefit cut 'will see rise in homelessness'
05 July, 2012
Poll shows majority concerned about fallout from Cameron's plan to end aid for under-25s
Petition calls for rethink on direct payment
05 July, 2012
Private landlords have set up a petition urging the government to rethink its approach to making housing benefit payments direct to tenants
Edinburgh issues first private landlord ban
05 July, 2012
Edinburgh Council has struck a landlord off its register for the first time banning him from renting out property in the city
Co-operative accommodation: towards a mutually agreeable housing
05 July, 2012
The PM's plans to remove housing benefit from the under-25s is symptomatic of a failed system - how can mutualisation help?
Conservative-led council looks to move homeless outside London borough
04 July, 2012
Croydon Council is looking at offering homeless households accommodation outside the borough due to a lack of council houses & high private sector rents
Relaxation of planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential
04 July, 2012
Summary of consultation responses and the Government's response to the consultation
£9,000 fine for landlords who "put students' lives at risk"
03 July, 2012
Husband and wife Abdul Kalam and Jahanara Begum were successfully prosecuted by Camden Council for failing to licence overcrowded student digs
Over 100,000 private tenants now in severe arrears
03 July, 2012
Over 100,000 privately renting tenants are now in severe arrears with their payments, according to new figures
Government 'clobbering the working poor' with benefit reform
03 July, 2012
There are fears the IT system won't be ready, that the policy is being rushed through - another of the Government's benefit reforms - Council Tax Benefit
More tenants in financial trouble as rental hardships hit home
03 July, 2012
More than 100,000 tenants in England and Wales owe more than two months' rent, according to latest figures
Tenants' deposit protection schemes launched
02 July, 2012
New schemes have been launched which require all Scottish landlords to protect tenants' deposits
Fighting talk
02 July, 2012
Now the dust has settled on the prime minister's controversial welfare speech it is worth reflecting on what signals have been sent and what it means
Fewer service charges to be covered by benefits
29 June, 2012
Proposed new rules could lead to fewer service charges being covered by housing benefit, sector experts have warned
Private rented funding formula revealed
29 June, 2012
An influential government-commissioned review is set to recommend sweeping changes to planning and funding rules to favour the private rented sector over affordable homes
New banking concept to protect rents
29 June, 2012
Gentoo is in talks with credit unions about setting up 'jam jar accounts' to protect its income stream
Southwark in private rent cap negotiations
29 June, 2012
Southwark Council could be the first UK local authority to introduce a rent cap for private landlords to make their homes more affordable to benefit claimants
Benefit 'shock' in draft Universal Credit regs
29 June, 2012
Benefit claimants absent from home due to long-term hospital care will only be eligible for 6 months HB not 12 months, under the draft UC regulations
MPs 'surprised' at Cameron's attack on his Government's benefit reform
29 June, 2012
MPs have expressed "surprise" at the Prime Minster's attack on non-dependant deductions which have been reformed by his Government
Barking and Dagenham revealed as England's 'repossession risk' hotspot
28 June, 2012
The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham has the highest home repossession risk in England, according to new research from Shelter
Non-compliant landlords could be forced to hand over homes as Newham licence approved
27 June, 2012
Newham Council could take over the management of properties in the PRS where regulations have been breached under its new landlord licensing regime
Borough wide licensing in Newham for private landlords
27 June, 2012
NLA comment on decision to introduce borough wide licensing in Newham
Freud announces further investment to secure future of credit unions
27 June, 2012
Credit unions will receive up to £38m of investment to modernise and expand so they can support one million more people, according to Lord Freud
Are social landlords prepared for universal credit?
26 June, 2012
Social housing can learn from the private rented sector to prepare for the government's new welfare scheme
David Cameron's 17 ideas to cut extra £10bn from welfare
26 June, 2012
David Cameron's proposals come on top of restrictions to benefits in the Welfare Act, to be introduced from 2013
Landlord helps tenants claim £3m of benefits
26 June, 2012
Radian housing association found that tenants had not claimed benefits worth £3 million over the course of a year
Cameron to axe housing benefits for feckless under 25s
25 June, 2012
Prime Minister reveals housing benefit will be scrapped for under 25s and dole money will be stopped for those who refuse to find work
Councils underspend payments for struggling households by £8m
25 June, 2012
A quarter of the £30m fund for discretionary housing payments left untouched compounds concerns over the scheme's efficiency
Top tips: regulating the private rented sector
25 June, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion on regulation for private landlords
Is scrapping housing benefit for under-25s a good idea?
25 June, 2012
The prime minister David Cameron says the policy would save £2bn a year, and send out a clear message on welfare
Welfare speech
25 June, 2012
Speech by Prime Minister David Cameron on welfare, at Bluewater, Kent on Monday 25th June, 2012
Prime Minister David Cameron considers benefit cuts
24 June, 2012
BBC One's Sunday Politics video clip
Surge in complaints over rent deposits
21 June, 2012
Calls to Shelter from people with rental deposit problems have surged by over 80% in the last two years
Grant Shapps' 'beds in sheds' taskforce: the ingredients for success
20 June, 2012
The housing minister's attempt to tackle illegal and unsuitable accommodation must not put vulnerable tenants onto the streets
Housing associations could be the landlord of choice for Generation Rent
20 June, 2012
With their experience providing decent, affordable homes, housing associations could dominate the private rental market
House asking prices reach a new record high of £246,000
20 June, 2012
The Rightmove House Price Index
The Perfect Storm: Economic stagnation, the rising cost of living, public spending cuts, and the impact on UK poverty
20 June, 2012
Oxfam Report
Tenants cutting essentials before finding work as housing benefit cuts bite
19 June, 2012
Tenants in the private rented sector hit by caps to the Lha would rather cut back on essentials before finding work according to independent study
LHA landlords told to seek alternatives to eviction
18 June, 2012
The umbrella body for local authorities in London has warned against hasty evictions after a report found tenants in the capital are being hit hardest by benefit cuts
Research shows 'worrying' impact of housing benefit cap
18 June, 2012
Study shows landlords in London are three times more likely to evict tenants on housing benefit than elsewhere in UK
Universal Credit regulations
18 June, 2012
Welfare reform draft regulations and policy briefing notes
Home ownership £200,000 cheaper than lifetime of renting
18 June, 2012
Barclays researchers says figure is a conservative estimate and does not factor in high inflation or resale value
Monitoring the impact of changes to the Local Housing Allowance system of housing benefit:summary of early findings
15 June, 2012
The first report from an independent research into housing benefit reform
Homelessness and B&B; figures shoot up
15 June, 2012
Homelessness applications have jumped up 16% from last year and use of bed and breakfast has risen by 44% according to CLG figures
Family Resources Survey
15 June, 2012
The Family Resources Survey from DWP, collects information on the incomes and circumstances of private households in the United Kingdom
London rents 82% higher than rest of UK
15 June, 2012
The average cost of renting a home in Greater London is 82% more expensive than the rest of the UK
Private landlords turning backs on benefits tenants
15 June, 2012
A third of private landlords are either considering or planning to cease letting homes to housing benefit claimants as a result of the government's welfare reforms
DWP submits draft universal credit and benefit cap regulations to Social Security Advisory Committee
15 June, 2012
It was announced in parliament yesterday that draft universal credit regulations would be published shortly
LIN Member Report June 2012 - More money to spare: How local authorities are still failing to award discretionary housing payments
14 June, 2012
LIN June member report by Neil Merrick which looks at the DHP fund, which is one measure, that could help offset the impact of the Welfare Reforms
Greater risk of death warning as private tenancies rise
14 June, 2012
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has warned that the risk of fatalities will grow as private tenancies continue to rise
Households Below Average Income
14 June, 2012
The latest national statistics on Households Below Average Income produced by the Department for Work and Pensions
Tenants favour accredited landlords
13 June, 2012
According to the NLA 51% of tenants are more likely to accept a rental property if they know the L/L is committed to professional development and accreditation
Housing 2012: the sector must meet the challenge of welfare reform
13 June, 2012
Housing is key to the transformation of the welfare system and breaking dependency, says the minister for welfare reform
Premium phone line fined for targeting vulnerable
12 June, 2012
A premium rate phone line claiming to help people on benefits find accommodation in the private rented sector has been fined £100,000
One in four Glasgow asylum seekers are destitute
12 June, 2012
One in four asylum seekers and refugees presenting to services in Glasgow are destitute, according to a survey
Families to be pushed into private rented sector
12 June, 2012
More families will be pushed into the private rented sector if the economy does not pick up, says a Cambridge University report
Families to be pushed into private rented sector
11 June, 2012
More families will be pushed into the private rented sector if the economy does not pick up, says a Cambridge University report
Homeownership out of reach for half of UK
11 June, 2012
Half of all Britons believe they won't own a property during their lifetime, according to a nationwide poll from a self storage company
Local Government Finance Bill: Localising support for council tax
11 June, 2012
Updated impact assessment
Renting to be 'way of life' for young UK families
11 June, 2012
Price rises are blocking ownership, new study warns, with trend 'set to continue for a decade'
Renting to be 'way of life' for young UK families
09 June, 2012
Price rises are blocking ownership, new study warns, with trend 'set to continue for a decade'
Government acts to restrict long distance moves
01 June, 2012
The government has issued proposals that would restrict the ability of councils to place homeless people in private accommodation outside their area
Face to face and telephone support under universal credit will be geared towards helping claimants use online channel, says Lord Freud
01 June, 2012
Speech by Lord Freud, Minister for Welfare Reform, at the National Digital Conference
Reforms to Council Tax benefit 'could undermine Universal Credit'
01 June, 2012
Government plans to localise council tax benefit while cutting funding for it by 10% threatens to undermine the new Universal Credit system
Are we becoming a nation of mummy's boys and daddy's girls?
01 June, 2012
The number of young adults living with their parents has risen by a fifth in fourteen years - Guardian news report
Good news for landlords: 79% of tenants like them
31 May, 2012
The majority of tenants have positive relations with their landlords, according to the National Landlord Association's first Quarterly Tenant Index
£9 million in unpaid rent written off by Leeds City Council
31 May, 2012
Leeds City Council has written off nearly £9 million of its tenants unpaid rent arrears in the past five years
Benefit cap factsheet
31 May, 2012
From April 2013 the Benefit cap will be implemented for new and existing claimants via a deduction from Housing Benefit
Landlord fined £5,500 for filthy, overcrowded house
30 May, 2012
A Newham landlord has been fined after admitting a total of 23 counts of breaching houses in multiple occupation (HMO) management regulations
Welsh letting agents asking for 'unreasonable' costs
30 May, 2012
Letting agencies in Wales are asking 'unreasonable' administration fees of up to £594, says homelessness charity Shelter Cymru
Struck-off solicitor slammed as 'slum landlord' by Camden Council
29 May, 2012
A struck-off solicitor was one of two defendants successfully prosecuted for failing to license a property let to 12 people
Is it time to set up a specialist housing court system?
29 May, 2012
Delays cost homeowners money and encourage landlords to take the law into their own hands - A new court could help
Do we need more specialist housing?
28 May, 2012
An extra 100,000 specialist needs homes will encourage downsizing and solve the housing crisis, according to Lord Best
New council tax help for hard-working families and pensioners
28 May, 2012
Following a consultation, the Government confirmed plans to amend council tax rules so councils have greater local flexibility to help residents
Charity calls for rent cap as 600 families face being made homeless
25 May, 2012
A homeless charity has called for rent controls after it was revealed that 600 families face being made homeless because of housing benefit changes
Early roll out of Universal Credit to go live in Manchester and Cheshire
25 May, 2012
Universal Credit will go live in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire region in April 2013 – six months before the national roll-out
Freud insists welfare reforms are cutting rents
25 May, 2012
Lord David Freud has insisted that rents are coming down as a result of the coalition's welfare reforms
Tenant demand pushes PRS rents up
25 May, 2012
Tenant demand has pushed private rents in the UK up over the past three months, according to figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Needs test all new tenants
25 May, 2012
Housing providers should needs test all new tenants to provide better early intervention services, according to a new report
Cost of regulating private landlords will be passed on to tenants
25 May, 2012
Plans for tougher regulation of the private rented sector in Wales could force rents up, according to landlords
Unregulated letting agents drive up the cost of private renting
25 May, 2012
Training for inexperienced landlords would support the private rented sector, but rogue agents must be driven out
Local guidelines for retrofit must not be a planning afterthought
24 May, 2012
If the Green Deal is to be successful, streets of UK homes will need to be 'overcoated' with external thermal insulation
New Universal Credit benefit to be tested in North West
24 May, 2012
The new single benefit, which the government claims will simplify the welfare system, is to be introduced six months earlier than planned
Violent offenders forced into shared accommodation by welfare changes
23 May, 2012
Attempts to protect tenants from harm are flawed, leaving dangerous and vulnerable people slipping through the net
Swifter justice for 'neighbours from hell'
23 May, 2012
Nightmare tenants whose persistent antisocial behaviour causes misery and fear for their local communities will face swifter justice
Strengthening Powers of Possession for Anti-Social Behaviour
23 May, 2012
Summary of responses to consultation and next steps
Welsh white paper: minister to introduce new rules on homelessness
22 May, 2012
The Welsh housing minister explains new measures to tackle family homelessness, poor housing and a poor private rent sector
The new mid-life crisis - house sharing into your 40s
21 May, 2012
The number of older professionals living in shared homes has increased by 2,000 in the past six months
Private rents rise again
18 May, 2012
Private rents in England and Wales rose by 0.5% in April, according to letting agency group LSL Property Services
Accreditation for landlords coming soon
18 May, 2012
The Welsh government will outline plans for compulsory registering of private landlords in a white paper
LIN Member Report May 2012 - Welfare Reform - Key Changes to Benefits in 2012/13
17 May, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall
£25bn further welfare cuts? 'Froth'
17 May, 2012
Lord David Freud has dismissed reports that the prime minister is considering £25 billion of further welfare cuts as 'froth'
DWP chooses partners for Universal Credit pathfinder
17 May, 2012
The DWP has chosen partners for its Universal Credit pathfinder which will road test the system "end-to-end" six months before it comes in for real
Localising Support for Council Tax: Funding arrangements consultation
17 May, 2012
Consultation closing date 12 July 2012
Buy-To-Let Market Needs 'Greater Innovation' Say Landlords
17 May, 2012
Research shows almost 74% of landlords agree that the buy-to-let market needs greater innovation
The Housing Report 2
17 May, 2012
Leading housing groups have warned that the Government is failing to tackle the country's growing housing crisis
MSPs support Scottish welfare changes
16 May, 2012
Proposed new laws to "limit the impact" of UK-wide welfare reforms in Scotland should be passed, MSPs have said
Cuts threaten ability to tackle rogue landlords
15 May, 2012
Public sector cuts are hampering the ability of some councils to crack down on rogue landlords, according to the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
'Victory for rights of disabled' as Government loses spare room benefit case
15 May, 2012
A charity is hailing a victory for rights of disabled people after Court of Appeal rules the HB regs size criteria discriminate against disabled
Report questions legality of household benefit cap
15 May, 2012
The government may have broken equality laws when introducing the total household benefits cap, according to watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission
Judgement to force changes to benefit rules
15 May, 2012
Housing benefit rules for private rented tenants discriminate against disabled people and will have to be changed, the Court of Appeal has ruled
Getting to grips with the nation's welfare
15 May, 2012
Iain Duncan Smith's welfare reforms are welcome but we need to go further
Landlords told to stop housing tenants in back garden shed
14 May, 2012
A couple have been told to stop using the garage in their back garden as tenants' living accommodation
Support for people on sickness benefits to get back into the workplace
14 May, 2012
Thousands of people who have been on sickness benefits for more than 15 years have been found fit to work and will now get support to help them back into a job, new analysis reveals
£1.8m to tackle scandal of 'beds in sheds'
14 May, 2012
Criminal landlords trapping vulnerable people in 'suburban shanty-towns' will get the justice they deserve, Housing Minister Grant Shapps has pledged
It's not just London - now benefit cuts push claimants out of Cambridge
11 May, 2012
Anecdotal information suggests that some benefit claimants have started to move out of Cambridge to cheaper areas
Landlords sceptical about green deal
11 May, 2012
Social landlords believe the government's flagship retrofit scheme will be unpopular with their tenants
Editor's blog: why we need a licence for private landlords
11 May, 2012
A study into the housing crisis has revealed shocking examples of exploitation in the private rented sector
Flat rentals hit record highs as tenants forced to pay small homes premium
10 May, 2012
The cost of renting a flat in the UK has a reached record high, with tenants being forced to pay a premium for smaller properties, according to property website FindaProperty.com
The woman who lives in a shed: how London landlords are cashing in
10 May, 2012
Council finds people living in everything from massively overcrowded houses to a walk-in freezer - and the problem is getting worse
Londoners 'spending 71% of income on rent'
10 May, 2012
Londoners are spending an average of 71% of their take-home income on rent - nearly double the UK average
An intergenerational solution to the housing quagmire
10 May, 2012
Rather than pitching generation against generation, a more international approach could help young and old alike
Government gives one year's notice of benefit cap
08 May, 2012
Letters are being sent this week to households who may be affected by the benefit cap
Thousands to learn if their homes are at risk
04 May, 2012
The National Housing Federation is urging councils to share information with housing associations as thousands of households find out their homes could be put at risk by benefit cuts
Income and Expenditure form
03 May, 2012
Complete an income and expenditure form to ensure that income exceeds expenditure and a tenant has enough excess income to pay any rent shortfall
Labour strategy to target private rented sector
03 May, 2012
Labour will soon be launching tough proposals for the private rented sector, shadow housing minister Jack Dromey told delegates at a homelessness conference
Royal Assent for Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
02 May, 2012
Legal Aid Bill receives Royal Assent
The seven reasons why landlords won't let to tenants on benefits
02 May, 2012
Private sector landlords are accused of unfairly turning away households claiming housing benefit. So why do they refuse
Private landlord hit with fine
01 May, 2012
A private landlord has been prosecuted by Lewisham Council for failing to licence a house in multiple occupation (HMO)
House prices down in England and Wales
01 May, 2012
House prices fell 0.6% in England and Wales during March, data from Land Registry's House Price Index reveals
Woman jailed for fraudulent housing claim
01 May, 2012
A woman who used a false passport to fraudulently obtain a social home has been jailed for eight months
Government to set up 'beds in sheds' task force
30 April, 2012
A new national taskforce will be set up to tackle the issue of "beds in sheds" by taking action against criminal landlords and removing illegal immigrants
New Housing Benefit Regulations (Under-occupation)
30 April, 2012
Read how the draft regulations which govern how the size criteria, also known as the bedroom tax, will be applied. Explanatory cover note by DWP
Dromey asks London councils to reveal numbers of displaced LHA claimants
27 April, 2012
Labour's Shadow Housing Minister and Shadow Minister for London have written to London councils asking how many homeless people are being housed outside the capital
Rents in London '75% more expensive than rest of UK' - research
26 April, 2012
The average cost of renting a home in Greater London is now 75% more expensive than the rest of the UK, new research shows
Newham's housing crisis is a warning sign
25 April, 2012
The London borough's plea for Stoke on Trent to take tenants is indicative of a risky cocktail of pressures in the housing market
'Social cleansing' housing benefit cap row: Grant Shapps hits back
24 April, 2012
The government has defended its housing benefit cap after it emerged London's Newham council was trying to find homes for some families 160 miles away
The Newham Council letter to Stoke-based Brighter Futures Housing Association - in full
24 April, 2012
Here is the text of the letter from Newham Council to Stoke-on-Trent-based Brighter Futures Housing Association requesting that it leases accommodation to more than 500 families
Council hands developer £20,000 fine for illegal flats conversion
24 April, 2012
A man accused of ignoring a council notice to undo an illegal conversion of a house in the London borough of Ealing has been found guilty and fined £20,000 plus costs
Q&A;: Rehousing families on benefits
24 April, 2012
Newham council has been accused of "social cleansing" in London. What is meant by social cleansing, and what will it mean for the city?
Cambridge rejects plan to limit HMOs
24 April, 2012
Ruling Liberal Democrat councillors on Cambridge Council have defeated an attempt by the opposition Labour group to restrict the number of houses of multiple occupation in the city
Fed warns Newham problems are 'tip of iceberg'
24 April, 2012
Moves by a London council to house families hundreds of miles away from the capital are just the 'tip of the iceberg' the National Housing Federation has warned
Families priced out by benefits cap
24 April, 2012
Shelter is urging the Government to consider the damage inflicted on families by cuts to housing benefit
Top tips: how to make the most of the Green Deal for housing
23 April, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about how you can prepare for the eco-efficiency scheme
Poorest will be hardest hit by 'botched' Universal Credit roll-out
23 April, 2012
The Government's "botched" roll out of Universal Credit threatens to penalise the poorest in society Unison warn
Social landlord's crossover to private rented market 'already producing results'
20 April, 2012
A leasing scheme in the Midlands is securing private rented homes to support homeless people
Councils not asking landlords to lower rents
20 April, 2012
Three-quarters of private landlords have not been approached by councils about reducing rents in return for direct payment of local housing allowance
Tackling the bedroom tax: finding new homes for cash-strapped tenants
19 April, 2012
Liverpool Mutual Homes has launched a Mersey-wide lettings scheme to help tenants avoid the penalty for under occupation
Better protection for private tenants promised
18 April, 2012
The Scottish Government has promised better protection and improved services for more than 270,000 private sector tenants
'Nation of renters' warning from estate agency chief
17 April, 2012
Generation aged 18-34 risks being priced out of market unless government helps housebuyers, says head of Countrywide
Right to Buy hits Westminster rents
17 April, 2012
Westminster Council has negotiated with owners of former council flats to lower rents for households affected by the housing benefit cap
Experts warn of rent price 'limits' and more sharing among private renters
16 April, 2012
Experts warn that there's a limit as to how high rents in the PRS can go, predicting that shared accommodation will be more commonplace in the future
Private rents expected to rise
16 April, 2012
Average private rents in Britain are expected to rise by two to three per cent this year, according to figures released by property analysts Hometrack
Charity calls for 'fairer' private sector rents
16 April, 2012
Scotland's private rented sector has the potential to lead the rest of the UK by building a more affordable market, according to a homelessness charity
LIN Member Report April 2012 - Validation of housing benefit by landlords in the private and social rented sectors
15 April, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil Merrick
Livingstone launches petition for London 'Living Rent'
13 April, 2012
Online petition for a London Living Rent stating no Londoner should be forced to pay more than a third of their income on accommodation
Landlords win access to £190m fuel poverty fund
13 April, 2012
Government responds to Inside Housing's Green Light campaign by redesigning the energy company obligation
Warning over housing benefit plan for under-25s
13 April, 2012
Attempts to simplify benefits through universal credit will fail if the government accepts a controversial proposal to stop out-of-work under-25s receiving housing benefit
Cutting housing benefit for under-25s ultimately saves nothing
13 April, 2012
Young housing benefit claimants are infantilised by policymakers, who are ignoring structural economic problems
Rental market booms as number of properties for sale plummets
12 April, 2012
The rental market in the UK is flourishing with an additional 58,000 properties being marketed to rent in 2011 compared to the same period in 2025
How to consider new approaches to allocations and lettings
12 April, 2012
CIH briefing - guidance on core areas of housing management helping overcome the challenges associated with putting current policy changes into practice
Housing market failing older people
12 April, 2012
Britain's housing market is failing to meet the needs of older people despite a rapidly ageing population and growing demand for retirement housing according to Shelter
Ending housing benefit for under-25s? A policy with more holes than a sieve
11 April, 2012
This out-of-touch plan, slipped out just before the bank holiday getaway, contains so many flaws that it surely can't be serious
Landlord fined for housing 15 people in 'filthy' unlicensed flat
11 April, 2012
London landlord fined more than £6,500 after inspection uncovered filthy and unsanitary rooms with 15 people living inside unlicensed three-storey flat
House sales reach three-year high
11 April, 2012
House sales in the UK have reached a three-year high, giving an indication that the housing market is picking up
Concern over plan to withdraw housing benefit from under-25s
10 April, 2012
Government proposal would hit thousands of vulnerable young people, charities and campaign groups warn
Housing consortium launches online discount store for tenants
10 April, 2012
A housing consortium is set to launch an online discount store which will offer social housing residents essential household items at a discount
A guide to The Social Fund (April 2012)
10 April, 2012
Technical guide giving detailed information about benefits and entitlements from the Department for Work and Pensions
Abundance of land, shortage of housing
10 April, 2012
The government's 'timid' planning reform will not solve the housing crisis, according to a new report by the Institute of Economic Affairs
Temporary accommodation warning to government
10 April, 2012
Campaigners in Scotland have renewed calls for the Scottish Government to introduce guidance on standards for temporary accommodation
Deposit protection law changes
05 April, 2012
Shelter is calling on landlords to ensure they are protecting their tenants' deposits, to protect themselves from penalties
Tenant panels guide to be published
04 April, 2012
The National Tenant Organisations (NTOs) are to launch a tenant panels' guide
Affordability of northern rental markets revealed
04 April, 2012
Best of both worlds? Study shows on average tenants pay less and investors earn more in the north of England
Retrofitting is expensive - let's demolish and start again
04 April, 2012
The development and maintenance cost of bringing homes up to modern standards often exceeds their value
Private firms approved to become social landlords
04 April, 2012
Three profit-making companies are set to become social landlords after gaining approval from the Tenant Services Authority before the regulator closed
Government to 'review' regulatory framework and role of commercial landlords
04 April, 2012
The Gov will review "certain aspects" of the new regulatory framework in a bid to clarify the expectations and approach to regulation of 'for-profit' L/L's
Tenancy Deposit Protection changes for Landlords
04 April, 2012
Reminder for L/L's and letting agents that they must protect a tenancy deposit with an approved government scheme from 6 April 2012
Mother claimed benefit on shared ownership home she was renting out
03 April, 2012
A mother claimed housing benefit for the rent on her shared ownership home for nearly 18 months - even though she wasn't living there and was renting it out for £954 a month
Letting agent fined over housing benefit data
02 April, 2012
A letting agent and one of its directors have been found guilty of unlawfully obtaining details about their tenants' HB from a rogue employee at Slough Council
Bishop warns housing benefit cap will lead to 'torn and fractured communities'
30 March, 2012
The former Bishop of Southwark has warned that the Gov's housing benefit cap poses "a real threat to families living in central London communities"
Tenants banned from moving if home is damaged
30 March, 2012
A local authority is cracking down on tenants who trash their council homes before moving on to a new one by forcing them to pay before they leave
Government to set up 'beds in sheds' task force
30 March, 2012
A new national taskforce will be set up to tackle the issue of "beds in sheds" by taking action against criminal landlords and removing illegal immigrants
Troubled Families: Top 10 areas are on board as Government is ready to go
29 March, 2012
The 10 LA's with the largest number of troubled families have agreed to sign up to the Gov's scheme to turn around 120,000 problem households by 2015
Experian plans to extend rent record checks to housing associations
29 March, 2012
Private landlords signed up to Experian's new 'Rental Exchange' product could soon be allowed to check out prospective tenants' rent records
When affordable rents are no longer affordable
29 March, 2012
The Government is introducing a £500pw cap on household benefits from 2013, but at the same time, is raising the rents for those on the lowest incomes
London rents unaffordable
28 March, 2012
Renting a two bedroom home in London is unaffordable for families earning less than £52k, according to new research by housing charity Shelter
Universal Credit: The impact on Passported Benefits
28 March, 2012
DWP have published the government's response to SSAC's report into the impact of Universal Credit on passported benefits
Number of private renters doubled in a decade - report
27 March, 2012
The number of people renting homes in the private sector has nearly doubled in the last ten years jumping from 2.5 million in 2002 to 4.8 million today
Landlord tackles crowding with loft conversions
26 March, 2012
A housing provider has launched a pilot scheme to ease overcrowding in council homes by converting lofts into bedrooms
Budget 2012: Housing round up and full reaction from the sector
22 March, 2012
Despite a strong focus on taxation, today's Budget revealed a number of housing and benefits reforms aimed to "improve fairness", "reward work" and encourage growth
Social landlord considers 'affordability assessments' on prospective new tenants
22 March, 2012
Hyde Housing are considering carrying out 'affordability assessments' on prospective new tenants
Peer withdraws attempt to change squatting law
22 March, 2012
A peer has withdrawn amendments to a bill which seeks to ban squatting after assurances were given that they could be brought back at a later stage of the debate
Croydon's homeless reject housing offer in Manchester and Walsall
21 March, 2012
Homeless families in the London borough of Croydon have rejected the council's offer to move them into temporary accommodation in the North of England
Chancellor threatens further welfare cuts
21 March, 2012
George Osborne has today raised the prospect of further welfare spending cuts in the next spending review
How affordable is housing where you live?
20 March, 2012
How many hours would you have to work on the minimum wage to cover your weekly rent? See what the data says
Shared housing scheme enhances life skills of homeless people
20 March, 2012
Peer Landlord London is a new scheme that helps the homeless adjust to life indoors through shared housing
Peer tables amendment to remove squatting ban
19 March, 2012
A peer has tabled an amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which calls for the banning of squatting to be removed from it completely
Subletting tenant sentenced to 16 weeks in prison
19 March, 2012
A council tenant has been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for subletting a local authority-owned property
Private rent levels fall across England and Wales - including London
19 March, 2012
Private sector rents dipped during Feb as an increased number of tenants considered moving into the sales market to beat the end of the stamp duty holiday
Housing associations bolster rent arrears teams ahead of benefit changes
19 March, 2012
Housing associations are looking to bolster their rent arrears teams ahead of the Government changes to the benefits system, according to research by Badenoch & Clark
Squatting law reforms 'could cost taxpayers £790m over five years'
19 March, 2012
Extension of squatting law could cost 20 times official estimates and wipe out legal aid budget savings, campaigners warn
Energy Efficiency Changes for Landlords
16 March, 2012
Landlords are being reminded about changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) which will affect rental properties in the UK
Return of right-to-buy creates a raft of uncertainty for councils
16 March, 2012
Last year's sudden revival of the Conservative policy has forced local authorities to review their housing strategies
Why the shared room rate doesn't add up
15 March, 2012
Forcing housing benefit claimants under 35 to share a house leaves vulnerable tenants such as single pregnant women at risk
Tenants bear the brunt of economic downturn
15 March, 2012
Debt problems on the rise for those in rented accommodation as family finances and disposable incomes are squeezed
Labour MP calls for rent controls
15 March, 2012
A Labour MP has called on the Government to consider controlling private sector rents over fears that the capital is being "cleansed" of poorer residents
Private renters owe more in unpaid rent than social sector tenants
15 March, 2012
Tenants in rent arrears living in private rented accommodation appear to have the most debt problems owing more in average than tenants in the social sector
Councils 'lack willpower' to tackle sheds with beds
15 March, 2012
Secretary of State for communities and local government Eric Pickles has accused councils of "lacking the willpower" to tackle the so-called "sheds with beds" epidemic
Private housing needs rent regulation now
15 March, 2012
The government must introduce private sector rent controls to stop social cleansing on a grand scale
Shapps: Rents are falling and tenants 'happier in private rented sector'
14 March, 2012
Grant Shapps has told MPs tenants in the PRS are happier than in the social sector and that there's evidence to suggest that rents in the PRS are falling
MPs and peers to examine private rented sector
14 March, 2012
A Parliamentary group is to examine the impact welfare reforms will have on young people in the private rented sector
Tenant advertised council home for £1,100 a month
13 March, 2012
A local authority tenant in Barnet was found advertising her £400-a-month council home with a lettings agency for £1,100-a-month
Sex offenders forced into shared houses
12 March, 2012
Paedophiles and rapists who used to receive payments enabling them to live on their own could be moved into shared homes with women and children, due to housing benefit reforms
Landlords braced for impact of benefit reform
12 March, 2012
Social landlords are preparing to commit significant amounts of extra cash and resources to ready themselves for the impact of the Welfare Reforms
Conservative MP calls on landlords to pilot 'jam jar' accounts for Universal Credit
09 March, 2012
A Conservative MP has called for RSL's to pilot an existing type of bank account to help tenants better manage their finances ahead of Universal Credit in 2013
Minister Announces £6.6 Million Funding for Citizens Advice Cymru
09 March, 2012
Local Government and Communities Minister Carl Sargeant has announced funding of over £6 million for the next three financial years for Citizens Advice Cymru
Direct payments: are rent arrears set to rocket?
08 March, 2012
Nearly a decade ago, L&Q; trialled paying housing benefit directly to social tenants with disastrous results. The group’s rent arrears nearly doubled
Landlords 'refusing to let to those on benefits', says council leader
08 March, 2012
Private landlords are starting to refuse to let to those on benefits, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council told housing professionals
Iain Duncan Smith: Welfare reforms realised
08 March, 2012
Iain Duncan Smith's Welfare Reform Bill has now become law marking an historic moment for the Coalition Government
How to tackle poor conditions for migrants in the private rented sector
08 March, 2012
Migrants are three times as likely to live in the private rented sector. A new report shares lessons on managing housing
LIN Member Report March 2012 - Welfare Reform - What Next?
08 March, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Peter Hall, Director, PHHS.
Third of Londoners expect to leave due to high housing costs
07 March, 2012
Almost a third (30%) of Londoners say they expect to be driven out of the capital by the high cost of housing, a new survey by housing and homelessness charity Shelter reveals
Wrexham homeless inquiries soar to record level
07 March, 2012
A record number of people are contacting Wrexham council for advice on homelessness
Youth homelessness: Falling through the net?
06 March, 2012
Life for Britain's younger generation doesn't seem to be getting easier, young people now face an additional problem - of ending up on the streets
Lords abandon new bid for statutory welfare review
06 March, 2012
A renewed attempt to get an independent review of the impact of the government's welfare reforms enshrined in law has been abandoned
Private tenancy evictions up by 17%
05 March, 2012
Analysis of county court possession order claims shows an increase from 12,500 to almost 15,000 in the three years to 2011
Ten myths about the private rented sector
05 March, 2012
From affordability to flexibility, the government's comments on private rent just don't stack up
Hove man in £100K Brighton council benefit fraud jailed
02 March, 2012
A man has been jailed for cheating Brighton and Hove City Council out of more than £100,000 in council tax and housing benefits
Tenancy Deposit Protection Changes Confirmed for 6 April 2012
02 March, 2012
DCLG has published the required regulations bringing in amendments to Tenancy Deposit Protection arrangements in England and Wales
Working with the private rented sector to tackle youth homelessness
02 March, 2012
Crisis' publication identifies effective ways in which agencies support young homeless or vulnerably housed people to access and sustain PRS accommodation
Welfare Reform Bill passes final House of Lords hurdle
01 March, 2012
The government's controversial Welfare Reform Bill has passed its final hurdle in the House of Lords
Cameron on Welfare Reform: 'An historic moment'
01 March, 2012
The Government's Welfare Reform Bill finally passed on Wednesday night after peers dropped their final resistance to the measures
Guidance for landlords
01 March, 2012
Electrical Safety Council (ESC) guidance for landlords outlines the simple steps landlords can take to ensure the electrical safety of their properties
Localising council tax support
01 March, 2012
The Local Government Finance Bill introduced on 19 Dec 2011 paves the way for the implementation of localised council tax support schemes in England in Apr 2013
Welfare Reform Bill reaches conclusion
01 March, 2012
The Welfare Reform Bill came to the end of the consideration of amendments stage (ping pong) in the House of Lords on Wednesday 29 February 2012
Check UK LHA rates effective from 1 Mar 2012: follow this link
01 March, 2012
Click on 'Find LHA rates' and search for LHA rates by postcode or local authority to find the UK LHA rates effective from 1 March 2012
How to find a Good Landlord
29 February, 2012
The NLA has compiled a list of the top things a tenant should look for when they are searching for the ideal landlord
Electrical safety warning to private landlords
29 February, 2012
Private rented sector tenants are being exposed to serious electrical dangers through confusion over Landlords responsibilities, a group has warned
'Unfair tax treatment of private landlords costing £1,000 per tenancy'
28 February, 2012
The "unfair" tax treatment of private landlords is stifling investment in the sector and major changes are required
Andrew Stunell offers £100m boost to breathe life back into empty homes
27 February, 2012
Neighbourhoods suffering the blight of empty homes could benefit from a £100m boost to bring properties back into use and provide stable homes for families in need
Number of rough sleepers in England rises by a fifth
24 February, 2012
Charities warn homelessness will rise further as local authority and housing benefit cuts take effect
HB/CTB S1/2012
24 February, 2012
Allocation of Housing Benefit Reforms Transitional Funding in 2012/13
Shared home scheme for former homeless
24 February, 2012
A homelessness charity in London has set up a housing project to help people affected by housing benefit reforms
Minister Hits Out at Pay Day Loan Companies
24 February, 2012
Minister Carl Sargeant hit out at pay day loan companies and high cost money lenders for targeting vulnerable people and those on fixed/reduced incomes
Council could name bad landlords in bid to protect tenants
23 February, 2012
East Staffs BC is considering plans to publish the names of L/L's who were issued with enforcement notices in a bid to improve the quality of the PRS
Massive drop in households claiming housing benefit over cap in Westminster
22 February, 2012
More than 1,000 households in Westminster are no longer living in homes requiring housing benefit higher than the new national caps, it has emerged
Review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes - Call for evidence
22 February, 2012
Formal call for evidence to support the independent review of the barriers to institutional investment in private rented homes
Private rented sector review head seeks evidence
22 February, 2012
The head of a government review of barriers to large-scale investment in the private rented sector has issued a call for evidence
£5 million to return houses to homes
22 February, 2012
Action to return some of Wales' 22,000 empty private sector properties into use as a home has taken a step forward thanks to £5m funding from the Welsh Gov
UK house prices slumped by 24% since 2007 - Halifax
21 February, 2012
Average house prices in the UK have fallen by 24% since 2007 and the beginning of the economic downturn, new research by Halifax reveals.
A revolution in affordable housing
21 February, 2012
A US housing concept has helped people to buy cheap homes. An east London scheme aims to replicate it
Squatting law will only criminalise the homeless
21 February, 2012
The million empty homes in Britain are the real scandal, not the squatting of a tiny number of occupied properties
UK migrants and the private rented sector
20 February, 2012
Joseph Rowntree report which explores the needs and experiences of new migrants living in the private rented sector
Securing good housing standards for migrants
20 February, 2012
John Perry, Policy Adviser at the CIH and author of the report, calls on Gov to ensure good standards are available to all private rented sector tenants
Inside Housing proves Cameron rent claim wrong
17 February, 2012
A claim by the prime minister that private rents are falling as a result of welfare reforms was wrong according to research by Inside Housing
Housing benefit cap forces families to leave central London or be homeless
17 February, 2012
As schools struggle to cope with the disruption caused to children, a council officer declares: 'To live in Westminster is a privilege, not a right'
Lords tempted by bid to decriminalise squatting in long-term empty homes
16 February, 2012
Proposals by a Lib Dem peer to decriminalise squatting in homes that have stayed empty for more than 6 months are likely to gain support in House of Lords
Woman's £100,000 benefit fraud 'largest council has ever uncovered'
16 February, 2012
A Merton woman has been sentenced to eight months in prison after being found guilty of fraudulently claiming over £100,000 in benefits
London borough detects '8,000 fraudulent council tax claims'
16 February, 2012
A London borough has saved more than £2 million after it uncovered 8,000 incorrect claims for council tax discounts
False details to result in housing application ban
16 February, 2012
Housing applicants who supply false information could be banned from applying for homes for a year, under proposals being considered by one council
Government urged to rethink bedroom tax given second Lords defeat
16 February, 2012
The CIH is urging government to agree concessions on its proposed 'bedroom tax' before the Welfare Reform Bill is returned to the House of Commons
Ministers lose Lords welfare vote
15 February, 2012
Gov plans to cut the housing benefit of social tenants living in homes with spare rooms has been dealt another major defeat in the House of Lords
Record number of lodgers as families look for extra cash
15 February, 2012
January 2012 saw the highest ever number of homeowners renting out spare rooms as thousands of families look for alternative incomes, new figures reveals
Charity urges Lords not to criminalise squatting
14 February, 2012
A homelessness charity is urging the House of Lords not to criminalise squatting ahead of its reading on proposed legislation changes this week
Youth Contract wage subsidy
14 February, 2012
New details of the £2,275 wage subsidy for employers to take on young unemployed people have now been announced
Tax credit change could cost families £4k a year
13 February, 2012
Low income families with parents in part-time work could lose nearly £4,000 per year because of a change in tax credits, according to Labour Party
Poll backs one spare room limit for tenants
13 February, 2012
More than two thirds of Inside Housing readers think social tenants on housing benefit should be allowed to have one spare room
Homelessness and improving private rented sector to feature Wales' Housing Bill, says Minister
13 February, 2012
Welsh Minister hs met with some of the world's leading homelessness experts as he continues to shape his policies for dealing with the issue in Wales
Speaking the language of benefits: how to explain welfare reform to tenants
13 February, 2012
Landlords need to be creative and professional to help residents cope with the government's radical changes to benefits
LIN member report - Money to spare: How local authorities are failing to award discretionary housing payments
10 February, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Neil merrick
Tenants see 'loss of £100,000' in first wave of housing benefit cuts
10 February, 2012
HB changes to non-dep deductions have cost tenants of a West Midlands housing association £100,000 - with a further £100,000 cut expected next year
Private landlord fined for allowing tenants to live in 'hell-hole' home
10 February, 2012
A private landlord has been fined for allowing his tenants to live in what Newham Council has described as a 'hell-hole' home
CLG admits LHA rates claim error
10 February, 2012
The Communities and Local Government department has admitted incorrectly stating local housing allowance rates will continue to rise from April
Welfare reform calendar 2011 - 2013
10 February, 2012
The Welfare Reform Bill is about to receive royal assent and will radically alter the benefits system
Tackle rogue landlords
09 February, 2012
Shelter is calling on the Government to toughen sentencing for serial rogue landlords
Number of new private sector tenants at record high
09 February, 2012
More than 275,000 new tenants registered for private rental accommodation in 2011, a 24% increase on 2025, according to recently published figures
Flint: ban benefit payments for substandard homes
09 February, 2012
Private landlords whose homes do not meet minimum energy efficiency standards should be not be able to house tenants on housing benefit, the shadow energy secretary has argued
English Housing Survey: Headline Report 2025-11
09 February, 2012
The Department for Communities and Local Government English Housing Survey Headline Report 2025-11
Number of private renters closing in on social total
09 February, 2012
The number of people renting homes in the private market could soon overtake those in the social market as figures show the gap is closing
SDLP delegation to meet minister over benefits reform
08 February, 2012
An SDLP delegation is to meet the minister for welfare reform later to discuss changes to the benefits system
Peers urged to find new exemption to 'bedroom tax'
08 February, 2012
Controversial plans to cut the housing benefit of tenants living in homes with 'spare rooms' returns to the House of Lords next Tuesday
Localism, Welfare Reform and Housing Market Change: Identifying the issues and responding to the challenge
08 February, 2012
HB cuts could see private landlords 'subdivide' homes for smaller families displaced from social housing leading to overcrowding and homelessness
Impact of welfare reform on the south east housing market - opportunity or hindrance?
08 February, 2012
A CIH report claims that the proposed welfare reforms present serious challenges for the south east & a benefit cap may not be enough to incentivise people to work
Landlord fined for renting unsafe property
08 February, 2012
A landlord who flouted fire safety rules while renting out an unlicensed home has been fined following an investigation by housing officers
Landlords see Property as Pension
08 February, 2012
According to a survey carried out by the NLA Landlords regard their property portfolio as an important part of their post-retirement income
Government advisor warns of benefit cap harm
07 February, 2012
Plans to cap benefits at £26,000 could harm vulnerable families and needs to be rolled out carefully, a government adviser has warned
Minister calls on landlords to boost credit unions ahead of likely Post Office link-up
06 February, 2012
Welfare reform minister Lord Freud has called on councils and social landlords to help boost their local credit unions
Tower Hamlets Councillor Shelina Akhtar sacked for benefit fraud
06 February, 2012
An east London councillor has been sacked after being jailed for 16 weeks for benefit fraud
Government benefit cap 'based on myths'
03 February, 2012
The Government's proposed benefits cap is based on a set of myths, a leading charity has claimed
Anger as government halts welfare bill changes
03 February, 2012
The government has come under fire for seeking to use a parliamentary mechanism to prevent further attempts by the House of Lords to change the Welfare Reform Bill
Watchdog shuts down sale and rent back market
03 February, 2012
The Financial Services Authority has shut down the market for businesses that buy homes from struggling homeowners and then rent them back to them
Touch base DWP e-zine
03 February, 2012
This issue includes information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This is help with fuel bills, make sure older people don't miss out
Lords amendments to Welfare Reform Bill beaten
02 February, 2012
The government has succeeded in overturning a series of crucial amendments made by the Lords to the Welfare Reform Bill
Councils forced to meet housing benefit shortfall
02 February, 2012
Local authorities are having to dig into their own budgets to help people meet housing costs, according to government figures
Councils fail to spend £1m earmarked for people at risk of homelessness
01 February, 2012
Six local authorities spend only half the DHP money allocated to them for needy families by the Department for Work and Pensions
Benefit cap: Landlord backs 'nine-months grace' for claimants
01 February, 2012
A housing association has welcomed reports that the Government is to introduce a nine-month transitional period for families affected by the £26,000-a-year benefits cap
Shapps: housing is central to economic recovery
01 February, 2012
The housing minister has told councils and housing associations that building new homes will be central to improving the country's economy
Iain Duncan Smith defiant over benefits cap but concessions expected
30 January, 2012
Removing child benefit from the Government's proposed welfare cap would be "ludicrous" Iain Duncan Smith has said
Labour to back welfare benefits cap
30 January, 2012
Labour party expected to vote in favour of a benefits cap, providing it is set higher in expensive areas such as London
Housing experts warn of homelessness threat
30 January, 2012
The Gov has been warned that its plans for welfare reform are likely to have an impact on homelessness figures and increase the use of B & B's by LA's
Labour wants benefit cap to be set locally
30 January, 2012
Labour has called for the proposed total benefits cap to be set locally rather than at the national limit of £26,000
Housing chief calls for child benefit probe after welfare cap rejection
27 January, 2012
A housing boss has called for more clarity on how child benefit is spent - after peers in the House of Lords rejected plans to include it in the £26,000 benefit cap
Council to start licensing all HMOs
27 January, 2012
Oxford council will begin licensing every house in multi occupation from the end of this month
Peers press for details on benefits help
27 January, 2012
The government has come under pressure to publish details of promised transitional arrangements to help people affected by the impact of the proposed total benefits cap
Credit Unions offer an affordable alternative to pay day loans
27 January, 2012
Welsh Government Minister highlights the role credit unions can play as an alternative to pay day and other instant loan companies
London boroughs to be hit hardest by benefit cap
26 January, 2012
54% of London's boroughs contain more than 1,000 households that will be worse off as a result of the government's forthcoming benefit cap
Landlords take 'bedroom tax' fight to MPs
26 January, 2012
Landlords are throwing their weight behind a campaign to stop a 'bedroom tax' on tenants deemed to be underoccupying their homes
Welfare reform: Housing association reveals direct payment plans
25 January, 2012
The CEX of Wakefield and District Housing, discusses the landlord's involvement in the 12-month direct payment pilot and what it hopes to learn
Ex-Archbishop Carey attacks bishops over benefit cap
25 January, 2012
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey has criticised Church of England bishops for opposing the government's £26,000-a-year cap on benefits
Assessment of equity release pilot schemes
25 January, 2012
Are equity release schemes the solution for older people? Joseph Rowntree report assesses pilot schemes run by three Local Authorities
Welfare reform: household benefit cap Q&A;
24 January, 2012
Ministers say a £26,000 cap on the amount of benefits families can receive will cut the deficit and incentivise people to find work - fidn out more
Council reveals plan to licence HMOs
24 January, 2012
Brighton and Hove Council is planning to licence houses in multiple occupation to improve neighbourhoods
Government undeterred over benefits after Lords defeat
24 January, 2012
The government has vowed to press ahead with controversial plans to limit welfare payments despite a defeat in the House of Lords
Landlord to 'rigorously test' direct benefit payments in pilot
24 January, 2012
A housing chief says piloting direct benefit payments to social tenants ahead of Universal Credit will help the landlord "rigorously test the new system" ahead of its implementation in 2013
Benefit cap defeat will be reversed, says Clegg
24 January, 2012
Nick Clegg says ministers will seek to overturn a Lords defeat for plans to cap benefits for households at £26k when the bill returns to the Commons
Big Issue case could help homeless access benefits
23 January, 2012
Big Issue sellers who have been denied access to housing benefit could reapply following a court ruling, a legal centre has advised
Private landlords dismiss Cameron rent claim
23 January, 2012
The NLA has dismissed David Cameron's claim that rents are falling in the sector as a result of the coalition government's welfare reforms
Families forced to rent whose children pay the price
23 January, 2012
Families who rent privately are often forced to move repeatedly, with disastrous consequences for their children's education
Available rented housing cuts in your area: download the data
23 January, 2012
The cuts to HB will leave many people searching for cheaper places to stay. Have a look at the impact of this through the country by downloading this data
The Essential Guide to Squeezed Britain
23 January, 2012
The proportion of low and middle income (LMI) earners aged under 35 and renting has more than tripled from 14% in the late 1980s to 47% now, according to the Resolution Foundation
Benefit cut raises housing concerns for u'25s
23 January, 2012
Homelessness charities have raised concerns about the ability of young people to access housing in the private sector following housing benefit cuts brought in this month
Housing benefit cap: can you live on 62p a day?
22 January, 2012
The housing benefit cap will mainly hit stable families on low incomes. Surely this can't be what George Osborne wanted
Paddy Ashdown takes on coalition over benefits cap
22 January, 2012
Former Lib Dem leader says he will vote against government on welfare changes because of effect they would have on children
Leak reveals benefits cap will hit 100,000 children
22 January, 2012
Official figures show many families will be pushed into poverty by coalition reform
Landlord keen on credit union investment ahead of Universal Credit
20 January, 2012
A Merseyside-based housing association says it could invest in its local credit union to support its tenants under Universal Credit
Private tenants urged not to bury their heads in the sand
20 January, 2012
Private tenants in receipt of housing benefit have been urged to contact landlords to negotiate rents. News article by landlord Portfolio
Impact of Christmas spending drives up rental arrears, with 10.7% of all rent late or unpaid in December - figures
20 January, 2012
Private sector rents fell across England & Wales by 0.8% in December to £711pm for a second successive month, according to LSL Property Services
Mixed reaction to Universal Credit direct payment pilots
20 January, 2012
CIH welcomes the direct payments trial with Housing Associations, but the RLA have slammed the trials claiming Private Rented Sector tenants have been "let down"
Benefits cap not about punishing people - Duncan Smith
20 January, 2012
Iain Duncan Smith has told the BBC a planned benefits cap is not "about punishing people", and has said people are "not suffering" under his reforms
Top tips: how should councils work with private landlords?
20 January, 2012
Comments from the Guardians discussion about how councils should work with private landlords
Direct Payment Pilots announced
19 January, 2012
London Residential Landlord Information Network Press release
No Scottish housing association or council named in DWP's direct benefits pilot
19 January, 2012
There are currently no Scottish LA's or HA's signed up to pilot the direct payment of housing benefit to social tenants
Housing association chiefs debate Right to Buy extension
19 January, 2012
Calls to extend the Right to Buy to all housing association tenants have been greeted with a mixed response
Welfare amendments face government fight
19 January, 2012
The government will seek to overturn all amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill when it returns to the House of Commons later in the year
Housing Benefit claims rising
19 January, 2012
The number of housing benefits claimants in Great Britain has risen by more than 130,000 to 4.9 million according to statistics released by the DWP
Families cut back on food and fuel
19 January, 2012
A third of people across Britain have cut back on food so they can pay their housing costs, according to a Shelter survey
Welfare reform bill - household benefit cap live discussion
19 January, 2012
Government faces further controversy as Lords prepare to debate proposed £26,000 family benefit cap
ALMO offers up to £2,000 for tenants to downsize
18 January, 2012
South Lakes Housing which manages some 3,500 homes in Cumbria is providing up to £2,000 for tenants to voluntarily downsize
The cuts in London: where will Lucy live?
17 January, 2012
A case study looking at the impact of Government Housing Benefit caps
Shed rent bid in Oxford demonstrates 'dire housing crisis'
17 January, 2012
Oxford City Council has launched an investigation after a homeowner advertised a double room to let in a "garden house" — which turned out to be a shed
Shapps outlines plans for elderly downsizing
17 January, 2012
Councils should help elderly people downsize in order to free up family homes, housing minister Grant Shapps has said
Benefit caps leading to people 'vanishing from neighbourhoods' - Westminster tenant
17 January, 2012
A tenant in Westminster has revealed how caps on HB in the private rented sector are leading to people 'vanishing from his neighbourhood'
60% of landlords displaying 'No housing benefit tenants' in ads - survey
16 January, 2012
60% of landlords are refusing to accept anyone on HB, stating 'no housing benefit tenants' in their adverts, according to a SpareRoom.co.uk survey
David Cameron considers extra £25bn of welfare cuts
16 January, 2012
David Cameron is considering ordering billions of pounds in extra welfare cuts proposed in a confidential Downing Street policy paper, The Daily Telegraph can disclose
LIN Housing and Welfare Benefits News round-up for week ending 15.1.12 (pdf version)
15 January, 2012
Week ending 15.1.12
LIN Housing and Welfare Benefits News round-up for week ending 15.1.12 (word version)
15 January, 2012
Week ending 15.1.12
Self Help Housing - Briefing events for empty properties funding
13 January, 2012
Funding via DCLG for a £100m Empty Homes Programme with a significant element to be ring fenced for community led housing organisations
Cameron clarifies 'rents are falling' claim
13 January, 2012
Downing Street has issued a statement clarifying claims in the House of Commons that rents are falling as a result of the Government's HB reform
Housing benefit reforms: a huge gamble on rent cuts
12 January, 2012
The government's hope that the cut in housing benefit will result in landlords lowering their rents could backfire.
Number 10 defends PM's private rents claim
12 January, 2012
Number 10 has defended the prime minister's claim that private rents are falling as a result of the coalition government's welfare reforms
LIN member report - How landlords can make use of and contribute to a national tenant database
11 January, 2012
This LIN member report is written by Lorna Stevens, Founder-Director, TenantID and Claire Turner, Director, London Residential Landlord Information Network
Shapps: Social housing tenancy cheats face up to two years in prison
11 January, 2012
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has made proposals to help ensure tenancy cheats who deny social homes to families in need will face justice
David Cameron claims housing benefit cuts have slashed rents
11 January, 2012
David Cameron claims the Gov's HB cuts have brought down rent levels across the country, despite evidence to suggest they are continuing to reach record highs
Landlord puts family of eight 'at risk' over gas safety failure
11 January, 2012
A landlord has been fined after he failed to make sure gas safety checks were carried out at a house in Blackburn, putting a family of eight at risk
Mendip District Council sets up lettings agency
11 January, 2012
Mendip District Council is to set up a not-for-profit lettings agency which will guarantee rent to private landlords for tenants receiving benefits
Local Housing Allowance caps risk 'ghettoising low-income families'
10 January, 2012
New HB caps for existing tenants in the private rented sector risk 'ghettoising low-income families', according to a London charity
Association buys up 150 flats for private rent
09 January, 2012
Glasgow Housing Association has acquired 150 flats in a £14 million deal to shore up its social housing business
Councils forced to call on B&Bs;
06 January, 2012
Councils in London are being forced to place more people in emergency accommodation as tenants are squeezed out of private rented sector housing
Government inflated cost of benefit defeat
06 January, 2012
The government's claim that its 'bedroom tax' defeat will cost taxpayers around £300 million in lost savings has been disputed by the NHF
Social security 'reforms' are a litany of welfare cuts
06 January, 2012
Labour has ducked the fight so far, but the truth will out: this is the tightest squeeze on children's living standards yet seen - Guardian news article
British property prices flat in 2011 but regional divide widens
04 January, 2012
Average house prices in Britain have remained mostly flat in 2011 while the division between North and South has widened, according to Zoopla
Shapps to launch crackdown on sublet social housing
03 January, 2012
Council tenants who sublet their homes could face prosecution and potential prison sentences as part of a new year crackdown on abuse of social housing
Housing benefit cuts injure us all
03 January, 2012
The effects of removing support from those most vulnerable to homelessness will be felt across society
Benefits change prompts affordable house shortage fear
02 January, 2012
Benefit system reforms could mean that in many parts of the UK there will be a shortage of housing for families on a low income
Available rented housing cuts in your area: download the data
02 January, 2012
The cuts to housing benefit in Jan will leave many people searching for cheaper places to stay,this Guardian report looks at the impact of the cuts
Housing benefit cuts: 'It's not as if we're living in luxury'
02 January, 2012
Case studies looking at the impact of the coalition's latest cost-cutting measure
Number of first-time buyers 'lowest since 1974'
28 December, 2011
The number of first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK has plummeted to the lowest annual total since records began in 1974, data from Halifax shows
Independent Review of the Potential for Institutional Investment in the Private Rented Sector
28 December, 2011
Terms of Reference
First-time buyers may be the losers in shared equity scheme
28 December, 2011
Property developers have been ones to gain from government scheme aimed at buyers on low incomes, claims thinktank
Woman jailed for £25,000 benefit fraud
23 December, 2011
A Shropshire woman has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison after being found guilty of housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud
Rented homes review chief announced
23 December, 2011
The housing minister has revealed the person who will lead the government's review of barriers to investment in the private rented sector
Eviction of squatters halted after 'missiles' thrown from property
22 December, 2011
A council has halted the eviction of squatters from a Brighton address after "missiles" were hurled from the property, making the operation unsafe
HB/CTB A14/2011
22 December, 2011
HB/CTB circular - Changes made to the use of the shared accommodation rate
Halifax reports rise of 12,000 empty homes
21 December, 2011
There are nearly 12,000 more empty homes in England compared to this time last year, according to data from Halifax, generated by data returns from English councils
Where's the peace and goodwill for those on housing benefit?
21 December, 2011
There was no room at the inn for Mary and Joseph,& there's little Xmas cheer for those who will struggle with their rents once the HB cap kicks in
Nicola Sedgebeer admits £69,000 Bridgend benefits fraud
19 December, 2011
A 37 year old Bridgend mother has been given a 10-month suspended jail term after admitting fraudulently claiming more than £69k in benefits
Localising support for council tax in England:
19 December, 2011
Government's response to the outcome of consultation
Families face fast-track eviction to help landlords cash in on higher rents
19 December, 2011
Housing charity Shelter blames combination of lower benefits and an already acute housing shortage
London Assembly seeks longer tenancies in private rented sector
16 December, 2011
The London Assembly has called for longer tenancies in a bid to boost standards in the capital's private rented sector
Private rents down for first time since January
16 December, 2011
Private rents in England and Wales fell for the first time in 10 months in November, according to the latest buy-to-let index from LSL
Ken Livingstone, private landlords and the 'London living rent'
16 December, 2011
Ken Livingstone's proposals for improving London's private rented housing sector, have been greeted in some quarters like a sighting of rising damp
Tackling troubled families
15 December, 2011
Plans to radically transform the lives of the country's most troubled families have been announced
Council to offer £15,000 interest free loans to empty home owners
14 December, 2011
Eden DC in Cumbria is planning to offer interest free loans of up to £15,000 to enable empty property owners to bring their homes back into use
Charities bracing for increase in youth homelessness
14 December, 2011
From January, a change in housing benefit will mean more people will be classed as single young people when claiming for private rented accommodation
Council cuts: the Manhattanisation of central London
13 December, 2011
Westminster's proposed 'civic contract' foreshadows increasing social inequality in the capital
Areas most at risk of eviction revealed
13 December, 2011
New research released by Shelter highlights the areas of England where people are most at risk of losing their home
Council hits private landlord in court
13 December, 2011
A private landlord has been hit with a fine after failing to fix health and safety hazards in the home he rented to vulnerable tenants
Boris attacks Ken's plans for private rented sector
13 December, 2011
The Mayor of London has hit back at Ken Livingstone's plans for rent controls in the capital saying they would be 'devastating for the sector'
Landlord offers tenants cash incentive to downsize
12 December, 2011
Tenants living in under-occupied homes are being offered cash incentives to downsize by A2Dominion housing association
Tenants risk homes to pay for Christmas
12 December, 2011
Around 280,000 people in Scotland could be risking their homes to pay for Christmas, according to research
Landlords Urged to Report Rents to Local Valuation Office
12 December, 2011
Landlords are being encouraged to report the level of rent on their properties to the VOA to help LA's determine average market rents in their area
Concern as private sector homelessness up 70% in two years
08 December, 2011
Homeless Link warns the 73% hike in the number of people made homeless after leaving the PRS "will accelerate as the Gov's changes to HB bite"
CLG welcomes largest year-on-year drop in number of empty homes
08 December, 2011
Families across the country in need of a stable home could benefit from thousands of formerly long term empty homes being made available
Renting in the Dark:Creating a lettings market that works for tenants
08 December, 2011
Families in PRS accommodation are being priced out of buying a home after it was revealed they have to save for 31 years to afford a deposit
Tenants who grew cannabis face eviction
07 December, 2011
Two Sheffield council tenants face losing their homes after they were caught growing cannabis by police
Rental yields rise for landlords as market can't meet demand
07 December, 2011
Yields on rental properties are rising as a result of increased tenant demand and rising rents, new research has revealed
Dromey slams 'tenant abuse' as he vows to regulate private rented sector
07 December, 2011
Shadow housing minister Jack Dromey has reiterated the Labour Government's intention to regulate the private rented sector
Sustainable income standards: Towards a greener minimum?
07 December, 2011
Are changes towards 'greener' forms of consumption compatible with preserving a minimum acceptable standard of living?
Camila Batmanghelidjh says government must 'wake up' to needs of vulnerable young
07 December, 2011
Camilla revealed that when her organisation started 15 years ago 60% of the children who sought its help were homeless. Today, the figure is 84%
Minister pledges to abolish 'digital apartheid'
06 December, 2011
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has pledged to end a 'digital apartheid' that has meant many social tenants in England are unable to get online
Universal Credit may not hit tenants until 2017
06 December, 2011
Almost 500,000 HB claimants could continue to receive their money in the same way up to 4 years after the implementation of Universal Credit
Housing benefit caps force families out of town
06 December, 2011
Benefit caps are pushing the poorest families out of inner-city areas into already overstretched boroughs
Housing benefit cuts: young people face a homelessness 'perfect storm'
06 December, 2011
Recession and spending cuts have already caused a spike in youth homelessness
Third of private rental homes 'have safety hazards'
05 December, 2011
Government housing report says almost 40% of converted flats and older properties have category 1 hazards, which can cause death, burns and loss of limbs
Private landlord edges closer to 'registered provider' status
02 December, 2011
The UK's largest listed residential landlord says its decision to set up a Registered Provider arm has been "warmly welcomed"
Spending cuts blamed for rising benefit bill
02 December, 2011
Housing bodies have blamed government spending cuts for adding nearly £2 billion to the cost of housing benefit over the next five years
Check UK LHA rates effective from 1 Dec 2011: follow this link
01 December, 2011
Click on 'Find LHA rates' and search for LHA rates by postcode or local authority to find the UK LHA rates effective from 1 Dec 2011
Charity urges owners to bring empty homes back into use
30 November, 2011
Homeowners and landlords are being urged to bring their empty homes back into use as part of the National Empty Homes week
Benefit cheat claimed partner was her brother in £40,000 swindle
30 November, 2011
A Middlesbrough woman who falsely claimed more than £40,000 in benefits, after falsely claiming she lived alone, has been given a criminal record
Private rented sector becoming 'tenure of choice' - Terrie Alafat
29 November, 2011
The private rented sector is becoming the tenure of choice due to the flexibility it offers, according to one of the Government's leading experts on housing
Lord Freud resists benefit cap amendments
29 November, 2011
Welfare reform minister Lord Freud has faced more questions in parliament from peers worried about the proposed benefit cap for workless households
The Private Rented Sector is a central part of the UK Housing Solution
29 November, 2011
The NLA report that the private rented sector will play an increasingly important role in providing housing and is becoming the tenure of choice
A new way to find the best estate or letting agent
24 November, 2011
A Sheffield based property professional has launched the UK's first estate agent/letting agent comparison website
Wandsworth to pilot homes for workers scheme 'in selected wards'
24 November, 2011
Councillors in Wandsworth have given their backing to the council's radical 'Housing into Work' pilot scheme
Housing in crisis: The future of the private rented sector
24 November, 2011
Jennet Siebrits, Head of Residential Research, CBRE, provides an overview of the current state of the private rented sector
More than £100,000 of 'illegally gained rent' taken off rogue landlord
23 November, 2011
A rogue landlord has had £112,500 in illegally gained rent confiscated after breaching planning enforcement notices following three Richmond Council prosecutions
NLA comments on the Government's Green Deal proposals
23 November, 2011
The Green Deal represents a good opportunity for landlords and homeowners to increase the energy efficiency of their properties
LIN press release - What's new for the Private Sector in the Government's housing strategy?
22 November, 2011
LIN press release - What's new for the Private Sector in the Government's housing strategy?
Housing strategy 'far from strategic'
22 November, 2011
Kevin Gulliver, Research and Development Director at the Human City institute, shares his opinion on the Coalition's Housing Strategy
Housing strategy: Council flats and homes to be sold at half price
21 November, 2011
The Government will be consulting in December on how best to use Right to Buy proceeds, after it announced discounts of up to 60%
Housing strategy: at a glance
21 November, 2011
The Guardians comprehensive round up of the key points in the government's strategy for housing
We need a new deal for private tenants and landlords
21 November, 2011
This housing strategy offers little to private tenants facing the instability of ever increasing rents – they need help now
Tenant Checks are not an optional extra
18 November, 2011
Landlords are reminded to carry out background checks on potential tenants before letting their properties.
The NLA warn landlords to look out for their tenants this winter
16 November, 2011
Landlords are reminded to ensure their properties and tenants are prepared for the winter months
Landlord fined for 'one of the worst houses officers had seen'
15 November, 2011
A landlord has been fined £8000 after Newham council officers described the house he rented as one of the worst they had seen
Number of renters to overtake homeowners in 15 years - survey
14 November, 2011
Over 50% of adults expect more people to be renting than owning homes within 15 years as the UK housing market experiences a major shift
40,000 Sheffield residents 'trapped in poverty' - research
14 November, 2011
Around 40,000 Sheffield residents are currently trapped in poverty, according to new research from two of the city's leading academics
Top tips: managing cuts to Supporting People funding
12 November, 2011
Comments from the Guardians discussion about Supporting People funding
LHA claims have doubled in three years
11 November, 2011
Local housing allowance claims more than doubled in three years, according to latest figures
Welfare reform to hit 133,000 London households
11 November, 2011
Does the Cap fit? An analysis of the impact of Welfare Reform in London. A research report commissioned by London Councils
More London tenants live in shared homes 'than ever before'
10 November, 2011
Rising living costs and high rents in London are causing 'more tenants than ever before' to live in shared homes, new research has showed
Buy-to-let market continued to grow in third quarter
10 November, 2011
The number of new buy-to-let loans increased by 16% in the third quarter of 2011, according to data published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders
Arrears continue to fall and repossessions remain stable in the third quarter
10 November, 2011
The number of properties taken into possession by mortgage lenders in the 3rd quarter of 2011 was 9,200, virtually unchanged from the previous quarter
Welfare Reform Bill Universal Credit - Equality Impact Assessment
10 November, 2011
This assessment provides a brief outline of the relative impact of Universal Credit on the different groups as defined by equality legislation
New tenancy being looked at for direct payments switch
10 November, 2011
A new type of tenancy agreement is being considered to reduce the impact of HB being paid directly to tenants under Universal Credit
House prices fell in October, more houses sold
08 November, 2011
The housing market saw an increase in new sales last month, according to a RIC's survey, however, house prices also fell slightly in Oct
Letting company hammered with £12,000 bill for appalling housing
07 November, 2011
A letting company has been fined £2000, ordered to repay £6.5k in rent, which they illegally collected, and has had to pay nearly £4k in costs
Slough squatting victim backs law change
07 November, 2011
A woman whose dead mother's home was taken over by squatters says moves to criminalise the act cannot come soon enough
Panorama exposes housing benefit fraudsters
07 November, 2011
The BBC's Panorama has exposed the 'double lives' of some housing benefit claimants as it uncovered widespread fraud in the system
LHA claimants up by 63% in London borough
04 November, 2011
Claimants of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) in London suburb Redbridge have shot up by 63%, new Government figures show
Tenants could be charged for benefit advice
04 November, 2011
Private companies are looking to charge tenants for benefit advice because of planned changes to legal aid rules, a consultant has warned
Treasury denies benefit link to inflation axe
04 November, 2011
Civil servants deny there are plans to change the way benefits are calculated after this week's highest inflation measure since Sep 2008
Housing benefit cuts to affect three quarters of landlords
03 November, 2011
A survey by the NLA has found that Government caps on HB payments could force over three quarters of landlords out of the LHA market
Landlord sees arrears drop by £0.5m with rent reward scheme
03 November, 2011
A resident reward scheme introduced by Orbit Heart of England HA has contributed to a £0.5 million reduction in rent arrears among residents
Rogue landlord housed 21 people in 'unsafe accommodation'
03 November, 2011
Twenty one people have been re-housed by Hackney Council after they were found to be living in unsafe and unauthorised rented accommodation
Check UK LHA rates effective from 1 Nov 2011: follow this link
01 November, 2011
Click on 'Find LHA rates' and search for LHA rates by postcode or local authority to find the UK LHA rates effective from 1 Nov 2011
Northern Ireland Housing Executive: new LHA rates for November
01 November, 2011
Weekly Local Housing Allowance rates by district effective from 1st November 2011
Heating and insulation improvements from the Warm Front scheme
01 November, 2011
The scheme now has a new set of eligibility criteria
House Price Index - September 2011
01 November, 2011
The number of completed house sales in England and Wales decreased by 11% in July compared to the same time last year, new data has revealed
HB/CTB A12/2011
01 November, 2011
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Circular - Changes made to the use of the shared accommodation rate
Charity urges owners to bring empty homes back into use
30 October, 2011
Homeowners and landlords are being urged to bring their empty homes back into use as part of the National Empty Homes week
Government releases plans to criminalise squatting
26 October, 2011
Justice secretary plans to criminalise squatting and strengthen law of self-defence for those who confront intruders
Tenants forced to choose between paying rent and fuel bills
19 October, 2011
A campaign to prevent its tenants paying over the odds for their fuel bills has been launched by Peterborough's largest social landlord
Supporting independence?
29 September, 2011
Evaluation of the teenage parent supported housing pilot
More power for communities to bring empty homes back into use
20 September, 2011
Community groups will be able to apply for Government cash to bring empty homes that blight neighbourhoods back into use
London councils 'write off millions' in benefit overpayments
19 September, 2011
Councils in London have written off millions of pounds worth of debt after failing to claw back overpayments of housing benefit
Private landlords issue warning over social housing riot evictions
16 September, 2011
The NLA has warned that evicting social sector tenants who took part in riots will shift the problem of ASB to the private-rented sector
Leading the market?
16 September, 2011
A research report into whether Local Housing Allowance (LHA) lettings are feeding rent inflation
Direct payments scare off private landlords
16 September, 2011
Private sector landlords are set to snub social tenants if direct payment of housing benefits is implemented, a group has claimed
Lord Freud: direct payment of housing benefit will end if arrears spiral
14 September, 2011
Government plans will protect social landlords from tenants who fail to pay their rent under universal credit
Anger as Welfare Reform Bill debate 'squirreled away' from public scrutiny
14 September, 2011
Peers have agreed to hold the committee stage of the Welfare Reform Bill away from the main chamber of the House of Lords
Lord Freud reveals direct payments pilots at NHF conference
14 September, 2011
Welfare reform minister Lord Freud has announced half-a-dozen pilots that will test out direct payments to social housing tenants
Under Universal Credit the majority of claimants renting in the social sector will begin receiving benefits direct
14 September, 2011
Six Demonstration Projects are being set up to trial direct payments to Housing Benefit claimants living in social sector housing
Public accounts committee's question welfare reforms
13 September, 2011
Concerns raised about Whitehall's ability to deliver welfare reforms, while at the same time cutting £2.7bn from the DWP
Landlords unite to challenge government on tenants' welfare payments
13 September, 2011
The aim is to get an amendment into the Welfare Reform Bill allowing tenants the choice of having HB paid directly to their landlord
Asserting authority:calling time on rogue landlords
13 September, 2011
Shelter policy briefing which exposes the scale and the nature of problems in the private rented sector
Discretionary Housing Payments data 2025/11
13 September, 2011
Discretionary Housing Payments data for the year 2025/11 by local authority, their allocation and the proportion actually used by the LA
Welfare benefits to be paid monthly
13 September, 2011
Many welfare benefits will be paid monthly in an effort to prepare people for the world of work, ministers have said.
Jobseeker's allowance claimants who don't speak English may lose benefits
13 September, 2011
People claiming jobseeker's allowance who do not learn English will lose some benefits, under plans announced by the prime minister
Top tips: the financial impact of welfare reform
10 September, 2011
What impact will the government's welfare reforms have on local government finance?
Data protection: why poor policies can cost housing providers dearly
09 September, 2011
Housing providers gather extremely sensitive data on their tenants and communities, how can you keep it safe?
UK housing conditions among worst in Western Europe, report claims
08 September, 2011
An alarming new report produced by the Pro Housing Alliance,claims that housing conditions in the UK are among the worst in Western Europe
Cuts in CAB funding leaving thousands with nowhere to turn for help
07 September, 2011
The CAB has published evidence that substantial cuts to funding is leaving thousands of people with nowhere to turn for help
Private Sector Renewal Activity, 2025-11
07 September, 2011
The latest revised National Statistics on Private Sector Renewal Activity produced by the Welsh Government
Carbon Monoxide trends 1996 - 2025
06 September, 2011
Report by the Gas Safety Trust reveals the risk of fatality by Carbon Monoxide to someone over 70 is now 5 times that of anyone younger
Grant Shapps responds to judge's ruling on squatters rights
06 September, 2011
Housing Minister Grant Shapps responds to judge's ruling ordering a London council to publish a list of empty homes in their area
Top tips for landlords: Assured shorthold tenancies
03 September, 2011
These tips are for landlords who have let or who intend to let a property on an assured shorthold tenancy
Fact sheet: Gaining possession of a privately rented property let on an assured shorthold tenancy
03 September, 2011
This fact sheet has been prepared for landlords who wish to gain possession of a privately rented property let on an assured shorthold tenancy
Shapps: more powers for communities to choose boats on water alongside bricks and mortar
27 August, 2011
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has urged local authorities not to become landlocked in meeting local housing needs.
Private landlords 'to stop offering Local Housing Allowance tenancies' due to payments cap
22 August, 2011
According to a report by 24dash.com
Mortgage and landlord possession statistics
15 August, 2011
Quarterly National Statistics on possession actions issued in county courts by mortgage lenders and social and private landlords
Tenants' deposits
10 August, 2011
This note explains the requirement on landlords to place certain tenants' deposits in a statutory tenants' deposit scheme.
Council tenants who sublet face criminal charges to save £5billion
09 August, 2011
Council house tenants who sublet their homes while living elsewhere could be jailed under Coalition plans that could save £5 billion
Local Housing Allowance and the reform of Housing Benefit
09 August, 2011
This note discusses the implementation of the LHA since 7 April 2008 and proposals for the future reform of Housing Benefit
Making a rented house a home-Housing solutions for 'generation rent'
08 August, 2011
New report calls for councils to start accepting private sector housing as meeting section 106 agreements
10-point guide to housing benefit changes and what they mean for social care
08 August, 2011
News report from Communitycare.co.uk
Housing Benefit: implications of the June 2025 Budget and October 2025 Spending Review
04 August, 2011
Outline of the measures aimed at reducing Housing Benefit expenditure set out in the June 2025 Budget and the October 2025 Spending Review
A new mandatory power of possession for anti-social behaviour
03 August, 2011
CLG consultation. Closing date for responses 7 November 2011
The work programme
03 August, 2011
The DWP Work Programme is a major new payment-for-results welfare-to-work programme that has now launched throughout Great Britain.
DWP Local Authority Omnibus Survey - Wave 22
03 August, 2011
Three in five local authorities think that local housing allowance changes will affect decisions about discretionary housing payments
HB Backdating letter
02 August, 2011
Housing Benefit template letter, to request that a housing benefit claim be backdated.
HB reform transition fund
02 August, 2011
DWP announces successful bidders to the £4m HB reform transition fund
£4m boost for innovative projects to support Housing Benefit reforms
02 August, 2011
Ten innovative projects will play a key role in restoring fairness to the Housing Benefit system
Landlords report good tenant relations as rental demand continues to rise
01 August, 2011
A majority of landlords say they have a good relationship with their tenants, according to a survey by the National Landlords Association
National Salary Insurance
29 July, 2011
Reforming the welfare state to provide real protection - IPPR report
As easy as EPC?
25 July, 2011
Consumer views on the content and format of the energy performance certificate, report from consumer focus
Private Rented Sector Launches New Schemes for Tenants on Benefits
21 July, 2011
24dash.com news report about TenantID and LIN
Amendment to planned welfare reforms
19 July, 2011
An exemption in HB regs will protect some previously homeless people from the extension of the Shared Accommodation Rate for 25-34 year olds
The Housing Benefit (Amendment) Regulations 2011
19 July, 2011
Link to the Regulation change made to the Shared Accommodation Rate that will protect some previously homeless people
Unfair Shares
19 July, 2011
A report on the impact of extending the Shared Accommodation Rate of Housing Benefit by the Centre for Housing Policy and Crisis
New taskforce to crack down on benefit cheats
13 July, 2011
A new Mobile Regional Taskforce to combat fraud will be visiting all high risk postcodes across the country re-examining claims
Landlords 'refusing to take people under 34' ahead of housing benefit cuts
13 July, 2011
The chief executive of homelessness charity Thames Reach says private landlords are already refusing to take people under the age of 34
Rent levels rise amid shortage of homes
13 July, 2011
A shortage of homes to let has forced rent levels higher and further increased the squeeze on cash-strapped consumers according to ARLA
Criminalising squatters could make more people homeless
13 July, 2011
The government's own impact assessment of plans to criminalise squatting has acknowledged it could boost homelessness and rough sleeping
Top tips for private tenants
13 July, 2011
CAB guide for private tenants living in poor housing conditions
House Price Index
12 July, 2011
The latest UK house price index statistics produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government
The Governments Green Deal
08 July, 2011
Member report by Paul Maplethorpe, Affordable Warmth & Sustainable Energy Coordinator, Rotherham MBC
Focus report: Homelessness
06 July, 2011
Local Government Ombudsman highlights councils failings over legal duties to homeless people
English Housing Survey Housing Stock Report 2009
05 July, 2011
The Department for Communities and Local Government have published the English Housing Survey (EHS) Housing Stock Report 2009 on 5th July 2011
Allowable Solutions for Zero Carbon Homes - towards a workable framework
05 July, 2011
Zero Carbon Hubs proposals for a delivery framework for Allowable Solutions.
Public attitudes to housing in England
05 July, 2011
Report based on the results from the British Social Attitudes survey
English Housing Survey 2009-10 Household Report
05 July, 2011
The Department for Communities and Local Government have published the English Housing Survey Household Report 2009-10 on Tuesday 5 July 2011.
Table of Councils decreasing Local Housing Allowance rates
30 June, 2011
Based on the new LHA rates from April 2011
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)
29 June, 2011
Everything tenants and landlords need to know in order to make a successful claim for a Discretionary Housing Payment. Member report by Claire Turner, Director, LIN
Government to close squatters' legal aid loophole
29 June, 2011
Squatters will no longer get legal aid to fight home owners trying to evict them from their properties, under proposals set out in the Sentencing, Legal Aid and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Direct payment of Housing Benefit to a landlord April 2011
24 May, 2011
New Guidance on Direct Payments where the Landlord is prepared to reduce the rent
Disclosure Consent Form
24 May, 2011
Form authorising a landlord to discuss a tenants claim for HB with the housing benefit department
The resilience to fraud report
11 May, 2011
Research into how well uk public sector organisations protect themselves from fraud
Relaxation of planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential
08 April, 2011
CLG Consultation runs from 8.4.11 to 30.6.11
Housing Benefit - Local Housing Allowance private rented sector
01 April, 2011
LHA Information Leaflet
A New Approach to Banking
01 April, 2011
Extending the use of Jam Jar Accounts in the UK - a report by Social Finance
The impact of Welfare Reform Bill measures on affordability for low income renting families
07 March, 2011
Shelter policy research report
The Impact of Welfare Reform Bill measures on affordability for low income private renting families
07 March, 2011
Shelter research report
Welfare Reform Bill 2011
16 February, 2011
On 16 February 2011 the Welfare Reform Bill was introduced to Parliament. The Bill legislates for the biggest change to the welfare system for over 60 years.
Benefits cap to hit 5,000 Westminster tenants
25 January, 2011
Up to 5,000 private tenants in Westminster are going to be directly affected by the benefits cap from 2013, according to the man responsible for housing in the borough
Raising the annual rental threshold for assured and assured shorthold tenancies
01 October, 2025
Frequently asked questions
Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Overpayments Guide
01 September, 2025
DWP guidelines (updated September 2025)
Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit Guidance Manual
23 June, 2025
DWP guidance (updated 23 June 2025)
Local Housing Allowance Legislation
07 April, 2008
The Housing Benefit (Local Housing Allowance, Information Sharing and Miscellaneous) Amendment Regulations 2008
Welfare Reform Act 2007
30 September, 2007
Welfare Reform Act 2007 (Commencement no 4 and Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007