Affordable housing monthly law update

During the last month the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has been busy progressing reforms of the private rented sector, regulation of the social housing landlords and the reform of compensation payable on the compulsory purchase of land.  Building Safety remains high on the Government’s agenda and we have links to the launch of a consultation on what should constitute a high risk building under the Building Safety Act 2022, further investigation into electrical safety in the social housing sector and updated safety guidance for new high-rise homes.

Following the introduction of new legislation banning the charging of ground rents we have a link to the guidance DLUHC has produced for leaseholders, freeholders are managing agents in England on how the provisions of the new legislation may affect them. There is also a link this month to the Government’s response to a consultation on the new Data Reform Bill which aims to reduce the burden of data compliance. 

If you have any concerns about any of the developments outlined in this update, or if you require any advice on the effect of the developments or on how to respond appropriately, please get in touch.

• Events and webinars
• Property
• Planning and environment
• Construction
• Charities
• Data, privacy and cyber security
• Employment
• Energy
• Health and safety
• Human rights
• Insolvency
• Procurement
• Regulatory
• Tax
  

Events and webinars

Protecting your business in a competitive market - Confidentiality and restrictive covenants TLT Insights | 19 June 2022 

Employees are moving to competitors, or even setting up businesses in competition, some taking vital confidential information with them. Used properly, restrictive covenants and confidentiality clauses are key strategic tools in protecting the assets most important to you. Our experts explain how.

Property

"A fairer private rented sector" Government whitepaper TLT Insights | 24 June 2022

On 16 June 2022, the government published its white paper on the reform of the private rented sector in England. It proposes significant reforms and changes to the private rental sector aiming to redress the balance between landlords and tenants and to deliver homes that are fit for habitation

Consultation outcome - Considering the case for a Housing Court: call for evidence Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 16 June 2022

The responses received to the call for evidence indicated that introducing a housing court would not address the underlying issues which were raised by court users, which included the timeliness of cases, resourcing, access to legal aid and the provision of information and advice.

Consultation outcome: Tenancy deposit reform: a call for evidence Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 16 June 2022

This government response summarises the main findings from the tenancy deposit reform call for evidence, which ran from June – September 2019 and sought to understand the barriers tenants face when moving from one tenancy to the next in the private rented sector.

Planning and environment

Open consultation: Compulsory purchase - compensation reforms Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 6 June 2022

This consultation seeks views on amending the compensation provisions in relation to the assessment of prospective planning permission where land is acquired by compulsion.

Construction

The government consults on definition of higher-risk building  Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 9 June 2022

The government has launched a consultation on what should constitute a higher-risk building under the Building Safety Act 2022.

Charities

Charity Commission launches a formal consultation on proposed changes to the Annual Return Charity Commission | 9 June 2022

The return has not changed significantly since 2018, but after a comprehensive review, the Commission is proposing to update the question set which charities will need to complete from 2023 onwards.

Data, Privacy and Cyber Security

Data: a new direction - government response to consultation Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport | 17 June 2022

The government has published its response to a consultation on the upcoming Data Reform Bill. The response outlines plans to reduce burdens on business by enabling organisations to create flexible and proportionate compliance regimes. It includes proposals for improved data sharing practices to support delivery of public services.

DHSC publishes final data strategy for health and social care Department of Health & Social Care | 13 June 2022

The Department of Health and Social Care has published a policy paper setting out a strategy for using data to "reshape" health and social care.

Employment

Fawcett report raises an urgent call to action for employers to address menopause in the workplace TLT Insights | 21 June 2022

Earlier this month, the Fawcett Society, sponsored by The Wates Group published what is believed to be the largest ever survey in the UK of menopausal women entitled, ‘Menopause and the Workplace.’

The green skills gap: Employment TLT Insights | 13 June 2022

In the second part in our green skills gap series, our employment experts discuss ways to address the gap, including tips for attracting and recruiting talent, engaging contractors, supporting the health and wellbeing of staff and how to protect your business when people move on.

The green skills gap: Immigration TLT Insights | 6 June 2022

In this article, our business immigration law experts look at some of the key challenges and considerations employers should keep in mind when recruiting and retaining staff

BEIS Committee launches call for evidence on future of UK labour market Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy | 27 May 2022

The Committee wishes to understand whether the UK has enough workers with the right skills in the right places to do the jobs required in our economy, including issues related to our ageing population, migration changes and the impact of technology.

Energy

Heat Networks: Cost recovery proposals Government Response Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy | 16 June 2022

Following on from the consultation the government intend to proceed with the key elements of the proposed framework including developing a nationwide methodology for identifying and designating areas as heat network zones.

Health and safety

Consultation and call for evidence on electrical safety in the social rented sector Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 8 June 2022

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities consultation seeks views on mandating electrical safety inspection and testing in social homes, and on requirements for owner-occupier leasehold properties in social housing blocks.

Updated fire safety guidance for new high-rise homes Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 1 June 2022

New improvements to fire safety guidance form part of a wider update to tighten building regulations and provide clearer fire safety rules for the design or construction of residential developments.

Human rights

Landlords who exploit vulnerable residents to be removed from supported housing sector Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 2 July 2022

The Supported Housing Improvement Programme will help councils in worst-affected areas tackle bad quality and poor value for money in supported housing.

Bill of Rights Bill House of Commons | 22 June 2022

The Bill of Rights will replace the Human Rights Act 1998 and restore a common-sense approach to human rights in the United Kingdom context.

Insolvency

National Security and Investment Act: insolvency appointments TLT Insights | 23 June 2022

It may be necessary to notify the Government and obtain clearance before appointing liquidators, administrative receivers, fixed charge receivers or trustees in bankruptcy where the insolvent entity or individual owns (or the receiver is appointed over) assets that fall within a sensitive area of the economy, under recent national security legislation.

Procurement

The Procurement Bill – at a second glance TLT Insights | 30 May 2022

The now well documented Procurement Bill 2022 underwent its second reading in the House of Lords on Wednesday 25th May leading to a healthy debate on the proposed reforms, highlighting both those areas generally welcomed by the House, together with those that may need further refinement.

Regulatory

The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act: User guidance – England  Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 23 June 2022

This document provides guidance to leaseholders, freeholders and managing agents in England on how the provisions of the Act may affect them and how the act should be enforced. It provides details of the further action that may be taken should anyone not follow the requirements of the Act.

Social Housing (Regulation) Bill House of Lords | 9 June 2022

A Bill to make provision about the regulation of social housing; about the terms of approved schemes for the investigation of housing complaints; and for connected purposes

‘Ofsted style’ inspections and unlimited fines for poor social landlords Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 8 June 2022

Failing social housing landlords could face unlimited fines and Ofsted-style inspections, under the Social Housing Regulation Bill set to be introduced to Parliament 

Tax

UK to implement global corporate tax rate in 2024 HM Treasury | 14 June 2022

The government announced, by an update to its consultation page on UK implementation of the OECD proposals for a global minimum corporate tax rate, that the UK legislation would be deferred to 2024.