Worries Among Tenants Over Deposit Return

Nearly a fifth (18%) of tenants renting from private landlords say they have waited more than three months to get a deposit back, according to a survey. Mortgage lender the Nationwide said 4% of those asked had a delay of more than six months. A leading deposit protection scheme says the money should be returned within 10 days of the tenant requesting it after they move out of the property. A landlords' group suggested disputes could slow down these refunds. Read more on the BBC website.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45916360

Calls For New Home Building Quality To Be Improved In UK

Members of Parliament in the UK and construction experts are calling on the Government to set up a New Homes Ombudsman to mediate in disputes between home buyers and house builders. This is one of 10 recommendations setting out measures to improve the quality of workmanship in new homes and provide consumers with easier and cheaper forms of redress, to get problems fixed. According to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment (APPGEBE) house builders should be upping their game and putting consumers at the heart of their business model and the Government should use its influence to promote quality at every opportunity. Read more on the Property Wire website.

Supported Housing Rent Row Sparks Care Crisis

Councils and supported housing providers across the UK are locked in bitter legal disputes over rent levels which are taking so long to resolve that services are facing closure.  Hundreds of documents obtained under a freedom of information request by extra care and supported housing provider SAF Housing have exposed many cases where local authorities are refusing to provide enough housing benefit to meet rent levels charged by charities and voluntary organisations for supported housing.  They also reveal a number of legal battles lasting for years at a time, during which period providers must fund the difference between the rent level demanded and the housing benefit councils are prepared to provide. Anecdotal evidence suggests some supported housing providers have shut as a result.  Read more on the SAF website.