Housing Law - Homelessness and Allocations

There have been significant changes in the law over the last few years with the introduction of the Housing and Regeneration Act, the influence that the new Localism Act is going to have with tenure and also with some very significant pieces of case law, not least G v Southwark and the resulting Code of Guidance, Pinnock v Manchester and Ali v Birmingham.

This course aims to bring Housing Officers up to date with key changes in legislation, guidance and relevant case law in key areas of Social Housing Law. It is the first of two housing law courses. Delegates can opt to attend just one or both.

Please note that this course is appropriate for all Housing Officers who deal with general estate management, provide housing advice, rent collection officers, allocations and lettings and those who undertake homelessness prevention and case work.  It is appropriate for all experience levels.

This course will focus on the following areas:

• Homelessness including changes to:
  • Settled accommodation – implications of Moran v Manchester
  • Eligibility – status of A8 states
  • Priority Need – the implications of G v Southwark and the subsequent Code of Guidance in respect of 16/17 year olds.
  • Priority Need – Restricted Persons, who qualifies?
  • Temporary Accommodation – the implications of Ali v Birmingham about what is suitable as temporary accommodation in the short, medium and long terms.
• Homelessness Prevention focusing predominantly on:
  • Ending of ASTs in the private sector and invalid notices
  • Mortgage repossessions and the implications of the Mortgage Pre-Action Protocol
  • Ending of Introductory and Starter Tenancies and the need to be proportionate following Pinnock v Manchester
• Allocations and Lettings
  • What is reasonable preference and what priorities can an authority give to its Allocation Scheme
  • Use of Local Lettings Scheme

• Implications of the Localism Act

  • Affordable and Flexible Tenancies
  • Need for a Tenancy Strategy

This course is designed to bring officers up to date with changes in the law including case law whilst providing them with the tools and confidence to apply them to their job.  The sessions are designed to be interactive through the use of case studies and other tools.

If you require further information please contact cathy.jones@emcouncils.gov.uk

Cost (per delegate)

East Midlands Councils Members: £115 + VAT; Non-members: £250 + VAT