Monday 7th October 2019
Vast Majority of private rented sector Housing Unaffordable for Families In Receipt of Local Housing Allowance -new research reveals
More than 94% of family homes are unaffordable to local housing allowance (LHA) claimants, according to analysis of private rental listings.
Some towns had just one affordable property available, found the National Housing Federation (NHF), which warned the government’s benefits freeze is “pushing low-income families to the brink”.
The NHF analysed 75,000 private rental adverts across every postcode in England and found LHA could cover the cost of only 7.5% of them.
The research has can be accessed here. h
Consultation Launches on Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme
The government has launched a consultation on proposals to change the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme. The aim of these proposals is to ensure that the Scheme is sustainable into the future, in order to maintain this vital service for those who need it.
The key proposals in this consultation are:
- Contracting for individual courts rather than larger geographical areas.
- Allowing providers to claim for the scheme fee in addition to the follow up Legal Help fee.
- The introduction of a set attendance fee for all schemes in place of the existing nil session payment.
- The introduction of reasonable costs for travel as part of the competition element of the bid.
The consultation website is here and responses are due by 11:59pm on 3rd January 2020.
MP Questions Government on Article 4 Directions for HMOs
Jack Lopresti MP (Conservative, Filton and Bradley Stoke) has received a response to his written question asking what assessment MHCLG has made of the potential merits of local authorities using the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 Article 4 powers to restrict the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation in defined areas.
The Housing Minister, Esther McVey MP, responded:
“Under a national permitted development right, a private house is able to change use to a House in Multiple Occupation for up to six people sharing facilities without the need for a planning application. Change of use to a larger House in Multiple Occupation requires an application for planning permission.
“Where there is sufficient evidence that it is necessary to protect local amenity or the wellbeing of a specific area, a local planning authority may withdraw a permitted development right using an Article 4 direction. This would mean any change of use to a House in Multiple Occupation for up to six people sharing facilities would also require an application for planning permission. It will be for the local planning authority to consult on and consider the merits of such an approach, using local evidence on a case by case basis.”
Living in the PRS Associated with Higher Expenditure on Essentials Says New Report
The Intergenerational Foundation has published a report on household spending per generation. It can be accessed at: http://www.if.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/All-Consuming-Pressure_Final_compressed.pdf.
