Croydon Council Becomes Second Landlord To Breach Tenant Standard

Croydon Council has been found to be in breach of two of the English regulator’s key standards after an investigation by ITV News exposed terrible conditions for tenants living in some of its homes.  A regulatory notice published by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) found the council had breached the Home Standard and the Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard after it found that some of the homes the local authority managed were “uninhabitable and unsafe” and that some tenants were at “risk of serious harm” as a result of the conditions. Read the judgement online.

Regulatory judgement: London Borough of Croydon - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Borough Makes Viability Assessments Public

Developers in Croydon will now have the viability appraisal submitted as part of their planning applications made public. The reports are submitted to provide evidence of the developers’ capability to meet all planning requirements, including meeting the levels of affordable housing required by the council as the local planning authority. Previously applicants could request for their viability assessment to be kept confidential, but the report will now be published alongside the other planning documents submitted. The publication of the appraisals on the council website will ensure greater transparency and accountability, by enabling members of the public to scrutinise viability reports and the associated implications for the delivery of affordable housing and other benefits. Read more on Croydon Council website.

http://news.croydon.gov.uk/croydon-publish-developers-viability-reports/

Universal Credit Putting Claimants 'At Risk Of Eviction'

People who move onto Universal Credit are waiting nearly three months for payments - putting them at risk of eviction. The stark warning came from Croydon Council in south London, a key pilot area for the "full digital service" of Universal Credit and the constituency of the Housing Minister Gavin Barwell. Analysts have claimed millions will face overall cuts due to changes in "work allowances" under the new system. Mark Fowler, Croydon Council's director of welfare, told MPs on the Commons Work and Pensions Committee: "We have seen in Croydon, on average, it's about 12 weeks before any form of payment is awarded, which is creating considerable pressures as you can understand, and carries immediate potential for eviction as well." Read more on the Daily Mirror website.

Social Landlords Fund Research Into Universal Credit

A London council has commissioned independent research into the effects of Universal Credit on social housing tenants. Peabody Trust, Family Mosaic and Croydon Council have backed the council’s decision to commission research on the impact of Universal Credit (UC) and will all pay towards the costs. Labour-led Southwark Council said the full roll-out of Universal Credit in some parts of the borough, coupled with changes made through the Housing and Planning Act, has represented “an onslaught on social housing – and on council tenants in particular”. The research will cost £56,250, with Peabody, Family Mosaic and Croydon Council contributing £22,500. The Smith Institute has been commissioned to carry out the research. Read more on Inside Housing.

Council Wins Private Rented Sector Licensing Battle

An attempt to block plans by Croydon Council to license all private sector landlords in the borough has failed at the High Court. A borough-wide selective licensing scheme, under which landlords will be charged up to £750 per property, will now go ahead on 1 October. Croydon Property Forum (CPF), a group of small Croydon landlords, letting agents and developers, had requested a judicial review on the basis that the authority had not “taken reasonable steps” to consult on the scheme. CPF’s submission claimed that Croydon had only carried out a “doorstep exercise” and not taken into account the views of developers. But in his ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Sir Stephen Silber QC refused the application for judicial review. Read more on the Croydon Council website.

Developers Must Provide 50% 'Affordable' Housing, Says Council

Croydon Council has said that residential developments built outside of the town centre will be required to provide a minimum 50% 'affordable' housing. From 1 April, council policy will state that half of all the bedrooms where there are 10 or more homes are in 'affordable' housing units. The minimum level is currently 30% but the local plan policy allows this to be reviewed each year in response to market changes. And developments within the town centre that offer less than 50% affordable housing will have to justify this by undertaking a viability assessment. Read more on 24dash.

Council Records Sharp Drop in Rent Arrears

Croydon Council has seen rent arrears amongst its tenants drop by 9% in the last year. Unpaid rent levels in the borough fell over four weeks in March by more than £51,000, bringing arrears for the last financial year down by nearly £150,000, from £1,596,709 in April 2013.The rent collection rate for 2013/14 was at 99% of the £82 million due - better than the average for the last five years. The council has credited the drop in arrears to the range of support itself and its partner organisations have provided, including helping tenants to find work and manage their finances, advise on welfare benefits, reduce living costs and move to smaller homes in the wake of the bedroom tax. Read more on 24dash.

Council Puts £10m into Fund for Homeless Families

A local authority is to invest in a property fund that is designed to own and manage accommodation for homeless people stuck on waiting lists. Croydon Council’s initial investment will be £10 million in Real Lettings, which has been set up in partnership by fund manager Resonance and homelessness charity Broadway. Real Lettings is designed to produce a return for investors that comes from an increase in property values and rental income. Real Lettings is expected to secure 94 one and two-bedroom properties in London for Croydon Council over the coming months. The investment is part of the council’s 2014/15 capital budget. Read more on Inside Housing.

Council Plan to Build Thousands of New Homes Every Year

Croydon Council has announced bold plans to build up to 2,000 new homes each year. With more than 9,000 households already on its housing register, and managing a sharp increase in homelessness, the council has seen the supply of private rented accommodation reduce significantly. Croydon’s population is predicted to increase by 38,000 over the next 20 years, bringing the number of people living in the borough to 400,000. Read more on 24dash.

Council Searching For Homes for Homeless Families

Croydon Council is searching southern England for properties as it seeks to fix its homelessness crisis. The council's specially assembled housing supply taskforce has already secured 89 new properties. The number of families in temporary accommodation in Croydon has risen by 30% in the last year compared to an increase of less than 5% in London and 7% in England. The council has taken the action in an attempt to prevent fewer families being placed into bed and breakfast accommodation.  The council was previously able to combat homelessness by providing private rented accommodation, but the supply has dried up following the downturn in the housing market. Only 11 private rented properties were allocated directly to homeless households in the first seven months of 2012/13.Read more on the Croydon Advertiser website.