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Housing Law Update Here Comes the Judge! Thursday , 8 March 2012 Presented by:. 1. Localism – the tenure reforms 2. Social Housing Fraud 3. Trespassers. The Localism Act 2011. Flexible Tenancies = Secure Tenancies Not less than 2 years Written notice prior to grant s.107A.
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Housing Law UpdateHere Comes the Judge!Thursday, 8 March 2012 Presented by:
1. Localism – the tenure reforms 2. Social Housing Fraud 3. Trespassers
Flexible Tenancies = Secure Tenancies Not less than 2 years Written notice prior to grant s.107A
Tenancy Strategies 15 January 2013 ‘have regard to’
Formalities: Written Notice prior to grant (not prescribed) Express Terms No Deed – no registration
Introductory Tenancies Notice before the Intro that: Intro will become Flexible Length of Fixed Term Other express terms
Review of Offer Length of the Term only Not in line with Landlord’s policy 21 days – give reasons No appeal s.107B
Termination by Tenant 4 weeks specifying a date But not if: Arrears Material breach s.107C
Three Conditions: Condition 1 – Fixed Term has ended Condition 2 – 6 month minded notice Condition 3 – 2 month notice requiring possession s.107D
Condition 1 Effluxion of Time Statutory Periodic Tenancy Forfeiture or standard breach proceedings
Condition 2 6 months written notice Not granting another tenancy Reasons Right to request a review s.107D and E
Condition 3 2 months written notice Requiring possession Served before, or on the day of, expiry of fixed term
Mandatory Possession Unless: Failure to carry out review Review decision is ‘otherwise wrong in law’ 3. But...HR, Pinnock and Proportionality...
Tenancy Standard DCLG has issued Directions TSA has consulted on Directions Final form awaited...
Specific Expectation: Periodic secure / assured (not AST), or Fixed term 5 years (can be AST), or Exceptionally 2 years
Possession of AST subject to: (i) 6 months written minded notice (ii) Not proposing to grant another tenancy How to obtain advice or help 2. Followed by standard section 21 notice s.21(1A)(1B)
Succession Emphasis on Tenancy Ts and Cs
Social Housing Fraud: £900m 50,000 homes + £10,000 pa
Incentive to cheat > (1) risk of detection (2) penalty
Existing Fraud (Civil): Unlawful subletting Key-selling Unauthorised assignment Wrongly claimed succession
Existing Fraud (Criminal): Right to acquire / buy False statement to obtain a tenancy
Existing Penalties (Civil): Loss of home Damages Costs
Existing Detection Methods: Dedicated staff Tenancy Audits Photographs Data Matching Tip-offs
Proposals Add new powers but keep existing ones
Social Housing Tenancy Fraud Broad definition Triable either way: 6 months Magistrates, or 2 years Crown and / or Fine Restitutionary payment Local Authority = prosecutors Compulsion re data disclosure
Intention to Return Reasonable period? Valid reasons for absence? Section 93 HA 1985 equivalent
Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill (2012) Section 136 Residential Building Summary only 51 weeks and / or max £5,000 fine