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The Housing Bill 2014. Social sector allocations & tenancy changes Tim Calderbank – Caledonia HA. Housing Bill 2014. Introduced November 2013 Preceded by consultation – “Creating flexibility for landlords & better outcomes for communities” Wide range of issues included
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The Housing Bill 2014 Social sector allocations & tenancy changes Tim Calderbank – Caledonia HA
Housing Bill 2014 • Introduced November 2013 • Preceded by consultation – “Creating flexibility for landlords & better outcomes for communities” • Wide range of issues included • Not all measures in consultation made it • Royal ascent likely later 2014
Housing Bill – key measures • Changes to social sector tenancies - how tenancies are allocated & managed - measures to help landlords with ASB • Abolition of RTB • Changes to private rented sector • Number of minor measures – mobile homes, tenements, 20 year rule, powers of SHR
Social sector allocations • Changes to reasonable preference categories • Flexibility to prioritize other groups • Requirement to consult on allocation policy • May take age into consideration • Property ownership considered & SSST • Suspension from allocations • Changes to succession, subletting & joint tenancy
Impact of proposals on allocations • Reasonable preference & flexibility - minimal - reduced no. of preference groups - introduced under occupation - already had flexibility to consider others groups • Consultation on allocations policy - minimal - should be doing this anyway - does not prescribe how - new Act so need to start straight away
Impact of proposals on allocations • Consider age - minimal - can do this now - designated, adapted, support - some more flexibility (over 50s, older kids) - Equalities – clear & proportionate • Consider property ownership - minimal - discount those that have suitable home to occupy - cannot do so if could result in abuse or harm - can offer SSST to assist owner to return to home
Impact of proposals on allocations • Suspensions - minimal - many have clearly defined procedures already - legitimizes practice – clarification on max period - does not apply to S5 or homeless nominations • 12 months succession, etc. - minimal - standardizes rules - clear information, advice & tenancy agreements - processes to notify landlord & record occupation • Adapted property recovery - minimal
Landlords tackling ASB • Grant/demote to SSST for ASB • ASB SSST lasts for 12 month period • ASB SSST extend for further 6 months • Give reasons for recovery of ASB SSST • Right to review • Evict on criminal conviction
Impact of proposals on ASB • Granting/demoting to SSST for ASB - positive - definition required on what constitutes ASB - what evidence required & how gathered • ASB SSST to last 12 months - positive - more time for support/engagement - more likely to see successful outcomes • Extend ASB SSST for 6 months – positive - alternative to eviction
Impact of proposals on ASB • ASB SSST recovery reasons & review - positive - reasonable if a little cumbersome - care with timing & admin • Eviction on criminal conviction - positive - simplifies process - removes distress/uncertainty for witnesses - still open to challenge - availability of Court information
Housing Bill 2014 – overall views • Lot of optimism in consultation period • Tenants & landlords had similar views • Allocations not changed significantly - dropped introductory tenancies - dropped considering income - housing panel PRS only • ASB measures more positive - possession at criminal conviction