Affordable housing monthly law update

This month sees the announcement of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which forms part of the government’s commitment to spread opportunity and “level up the UK” through a mix of devolution measures and extensive planning reforms.  The full Building Safety Act 2022 text has also been published by the government so please see link below for further details on this.  In addition to this, we answer some key questions on the legislation banning ground rents on new residential dwellings in England and Wales which will come into force on 30 June 2022.

On the employment side we consider whether the dismissal of an employee who stayed away from work because of a fear of coronavirus would be automatically unfairly dismissed, under general health and safety protections.

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.

Quick links: 

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

Property

Home REIT seeks £150m for homelessness accommodation LovalGov | 17 May 2022

Real estate investment trust Home REIT is looking to raise £150m to support its plans to acquire more homes to homeless tenants

Octopus Real Estate enters affordable housing market Octopus Group | 12 May 2022

Octopus, a real estate investor, aims to accelerate the delivery of high-quality, genuinely affordable homes working in partnership with Housing Associations and Local Authorities.

Renters Reform Bill and Social Housing Regulation Bill announced in Queen's speech Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 11 May 2022

The Renters Reform Bill will aim to improve conditions and rights for millions in private and socially rented sector. The Social Housing Regulation Bill will create a robust regulatory framework that will drive up the standards of social housing accommodation and help tenants and the Regulator hold social housing landlords to account.

Planning and environment

Future of the planning system in England: government response to the Select Committee report Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 12 May 2022

The government ‘s response to the Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Select Committee’s inquiry on the future of the planning system in England.

Construction

CITB to invest over £233m in British construction Construction Industry Training Board | 18 May 2022

With a strong focus on three core challenges for construction, CITB published its Business Plan announcing it will be investing over £233m across Britain to support construction throughout 2022/23.

Levelling Up and Regeneration policy paper  Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 12 May 2022

This paper summarises the steps the government are taking, through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill and other legislation and policy, to devolve power and give local leaders and communities the tools they need to make better places.

Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill announced Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 11 May 2022

The government has introduced plans to transform struggling towns and cities, supporting local leaders to take back control of regeneration, ending the blight of empty shops on their high streets and delivering the quality homes that communities need.

Corporate

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill announced in Queens speech Prime Minister's Office, 10 May 2022

One of the main benefits of the bill will be to tackle economic crime, including fraud and money-laundering, by delivering greater protections for consumers and businesses.

Data, Privacy and Cyber Security

Data reform Bill announced in Queens speech  Prime Minister’s Office, 10 May 2022

The purpose of the Bill is to create a new pro-growth and trusted UK data protection framework that reduces burdens on businesses and boosts the economy.

Government calls for views on improving privacy and security of apps and app stores Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport | 4 May 2022

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has issued a call for views on improving the security and privacy of apps and app stores.

Employment

Automatically unfair dismissal and coronavirus TLT Insights | 19 May 2022

One of the many unanswered questions over which employers puzzled following the emergence of coronavirus was whether the dismissal of an employee who stayed away from work because of a fear of the virus would be automatically unfairly dismissed, under general health and safety protections?

Government announces Future of Work review Prime Minister’s office | 12 May 2022

The Prime Minister has asked Matt Warman MP to lead a review into how the government can best support a thriving future UK labour market.

Licensed sponsors check your licence now TLT Insights | 11 May 2022

It is important to note that sponsor licences bring with them a number of compliance duties, many of which are easily missed or overlooked by employers as part of their normal house-keeping.

BEIS statement on how the government is supporting workers Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy | 10 May 2022

Details on what the government has done to protect and enhance workers’ rights.

Government to widen the ban on exclusivity clauses in contracts Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy | 9 May 2022

The proposals will widen the ban on exclusivity clauses, which restrict staff from working for multiple employers, to contracts where the guaranteed weekly income is on or below the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 a week.

Energy

Update to Green Finance Strategy: call for evidence Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy | 12 May 2022

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a call for evidence on updating the government's Green Finance Strategy, on 12 May 2022

Funding future energy TLT Publications | 10 May 2022

Businesses, communities and financial institutions are all looking for ways to achieve their ESG goals, making sustainability a hot area for investment.

Health and safety

Fire Reform White Paper announced Home Office | 18 May 2022

Robust reforms to fire safety introduced to strengthen fire and rescue services, putting the majority of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations into law

Building Safety Act 2022 published Legislation.gov.uk | 13 May 2022

The full Building Safety Act 2022 text has been published by the Government.

Government aim to make smoke and carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in homes from October 2022 Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 11 May 2022

The new regulations have now been laid before parliament and if agreed, will take effect on 1 October 2022. This instrument amends the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 to bring social landlords into scope of the existing requirements and extend mandatory requirements for carbon monoxide alarms in private and socially rented homes.

Human rights

Buildings insurance for multiple-occupancy residential buildings: response to FCA's interim findings Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 16 May 2022

Letter from the Secretary of State responding to the Financial Conduct Authority’s update on the review of buildings insurance for multiple-occupancy buildings

Severe maladministration for Clarion’s complaint handling failings Housing Ombudsman Service | 12 May 2022

Housing Ombudsman found severe maladministration for Clarion’s significant failings in dealing with a complaint from a resident with vulnerabilities, and are planning to conduct a wider investigation.

Procurement

Procurement Bill 2022-23 introduced to Parliament House of Lords | 18 May 2022

The purpose of the Procurement Bill is to reform the United Kingdom’s public procurement regime following its exit from the European Union (EU), to create a simpler and more transparent system not based on transposed EU Directives.

Regulatory

Abolition of residential ground rents: key questions answered TLT Insights | 3 May 2022

After much anticipation, the legislation effectively banning new residential ground rents in England and Wales will come into force on 30 June 2022

Tax

Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2022 to 2023 Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities | 18 May 2022

Details of the level of Council Tax set by local authorities in England for financial year 2022 to 2023

This publication is intended for general guidance and represents our understanding of the relevant law and practice as at May 2022. Specific advice should be sought for specific cases. For more information see our terms & conditions.