Residents’ Commission Says Council Houses Should Be Transferred To Community Ownership

Hammersmith & Fulham’s pioneering Residents’ Commission on Council Housing has recommended that the council transfer ownership of its homes to a local, not-for-profit, community-owned housing organisation. The proposals are contained in the final report of the independent commission, established to report on the future of council housing in Hammersmith & Fulham. The council will make a final decision at a cabinet meeting on 7 December. Read more on the Hammersmith & Fulham website.

HAs Say They'll Sue If Tories Force Them To Sell Off Homes Under Right-To-Buy

Housing associations set to be crippled by Conservative plans to extend the right-to-buy policy will launch a legal challenge against the move. The Tories have announced that they will force housing associations to sell off homes at a fraction of their value despite warnings that the policy could cause the not-for-profits to go bankrupt. Because housing associations are private not-for-profit businesses, forcing the sale of homes at below market value could potentially breach Article 1, Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which gives everyone the “right to the peaceful enjoyment of one’s possessions”. Industry sources also say charity law would have to be changed to accommodate the move because charities, including many housing associations, are generally prohibited from selling off their assets at below market value. Read more on the Independent website.

Tenants Trust Social Landlords for Advice on Energy Savings

The study by the not-for-profit consultancy Sustainable Homes for the Department of Energy and Climate Change has found associations managing property are in the best position to offer help, ahead of energy charities and family and friends. It also revealed that people struggle to make sense of their bills: 75% of those questioned for the study saying they had difficulty understanding them. More than one-third said they were confused by heating controls. The survey of 300 people was conducted as part of the National Energy Study, which was undertaken with 14 housing associations and 500 households last winter to look at energy use within the home. Download the report from the Sustainable Homes website.

Landlords Free To Sell Empty Properties

Social landlords will no longer have to get permission to sell individual empty properties under new guidance.  The Homes and Communities Agency has changed its consent rules to allow associations permission for a ‘policy’ or ‘programme’ of vacant disposals. This means the HCA can give permission for a landlord to sell properties of a particular type, size or other criteria without having to get permission for the sale of each one individually. The legislative power to alter the guidance, through the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, has existed since April 2010, but until now has not been used.  The HCA argued the change will increase flexibility and reduce administration costs for landlords. The change only applies to non-profit providers.  Download a copy of the guidance from the HCA website.