Landlords Seek To Deregister From Charity Regulator

Housing associations are considering changing their legal status to avoid Charity Commission rules in the wake of the government’s deregulation drive. A number of landlords are thinking about deregistering with the charity regulator, which would allow them to avoid the body’s regulations over stock disposals. The Housing and Planning Act will remove the requirement for associations to obtain consent from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) before they dispose of stock. However, many associations that are registered with the Charity Commission would have to instead obtain consent from this body instead. Read more on Inside Housing.

Charity Commission Raises Concerns Over RTB Deal

The Charity Commission has raised concerns over the National Housing Federation’s (NHF) voluntary offer to extend Right to Buy to housing association tenants.  In a statement responding to a letter from shadow housing minister John Healey, the commission said it raised “a number of concerns” about the Right to Buy extension with the CLG during meetings earlier this summer. In a statement, the commission said “there are aspects” of the new Right to Buy voluntary offer “which reduce some of the charity law concerns” it had previously raised with the CLG. It said: “However, they [the new plans] also raise, as did the original proposals, issues about their impact on how trustees administer charitable housing associations in the best interests of their beneficiaries for the public benefit. The commission will be speaking to NHF and CLG to explore these further and contribute to the detail of any proposals taken forward in the coming weeks.” Read more on Inside Housing.

Healey Steps In Over 'Bounce' Right To Buy Deal

The shadow housing minister has stepped up pressure over the voluntary deal for housing associations on Right to Buy. John Healey has written the Homes and Communities Agency, Charity Commission and the National Audit Office, regarding the government's proposal to extend the Right to Buy. He has called on them to ensure that housing associations are not ‘bounced’ by government ministers into voluntarily agreeing to sign up to Right to Buy rules. Healey has written ahead of the deadline on 2 October that the government has laid down - giving housing associations just six working days to decide on the voluntary deal. Read more on 24dash.

Amendment to Charities Bill As Right to Buy Threat Looms

The Quaker movement is backing a House of Lords amendment to the Charities Bill that will protect homes under threat from government plans to extend the right to buy to housing associations. The amendment was moved by Baroness Hayter and Bishop James Langstaff, who is also Chair of Housing Justice, and passed by the House of Lords on 20 July. The amendment inserts a new clause that reads: “Conduct of charities: disposal of assets: The Charity Commission shall ensure that independent charities are not compelled to use or dispose of their assets in a way which is inconsistent with their charitable purposes.” Read more on 24dash.

TAROE to Register As Charity to Attract Cash

The Tenants’ and Residents’ Organisations of England has applied to become a charity in a bid to plug funding cuts and secure its future.  The organisation, which represents tenants’ groups and individual tenants, has applied to register a new company - TAROE Trust Ltd - with the Charity Commission. The launch of the charity is expected to take place later this month, pending the approval of the commission.  Michael Gelling, chair of TAROE, said TAROE needs to raise £150,000 or it may struggle to survive.  Read more on the TAROE website.

Associations Face Losing Charity Status

Charity Commission tells providers to seek legal advice on implications of charging 80 per cent rent. Housing associations risk losing their charitable status if they implement the government’s new affordable rent regime. This is the stark warning issued to the 1,236 charitable housing associations in England and Wales by regulator the Charity Commission. It said each association should seek legal advice about whether introducing the regime will affect its charitable status. The affordable model will see new tenants charged up to 80 per cent of market rent on their homes. The commission has advised associations to look at the extent to which homes rented at affordable rates will relieve poverty. Read more on Inside Housing.