MSB’s Social Housing Highlight – February 2025
Welcome to MSB’s monthly Social Housing Newsletter!
Bringing you all the latest updates from the world of Social Housing.
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The latest at MSB
Exciting news again this month. We are thrilled to share that Helen Maher got engaged on Valentines Day. Huge congratulations to her. We also have a new solicitor in the team. Aaron Taylor joined this month and is already a great addition. Amy Tagoe joined the Liverpool Sub-Committee of Women in Property Northwest.
We have again been promoting MSB and the legal profession to young people with Abigail Eves and Alicia Manchester being part of a question and answer panel at Lostock High School, Julia Michalczyk attended a Careers in Law event at St Julies High School, Dominique Owens went to Lady Queen of Peace High school to talk about apprenticeships in law and the team had a work experience student.
We have also been celebrating Lunar New Year and took part in the annual Dragon Dance with Pine Court Housing Association. Abigail Eves shares more about the celebrations . We love supporting great causes, so if you have any projects you would like us to get involved with, please contact thomasstockton@msbsolicitors.co.uk.
Our free webinar for February was on Shared Ownership and Right to Buy. It was hosted by Nicola Garrett and Amy Tagoe. There was a great turnout. We have also been out and about doing in person bespoke training sessions for organisations. Louise Murphy and Tom Stockton also spoke at the Liverpool Law Society Housing Conditions Conference. If you are interested in arranging training sessions or our new coaching sessions or if you would like any of our team to speak at your event please contact dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk.
We have been out and about throughout February with Dominique Owens attending a pro-Manchester event on meaningful Social Value, Stephen Postlethwaite attended the Resolve North West Regional Roundtable, Julia Michalczyk attended pro-Manchester’s LGBTQ allyship through history event.
Our Book Club reads this month are: An Aura of Mystery by Joy Ellis, The Boy I Love by William Hussey, Bridget Jones Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding and The Fury by Alex Michaelides. If you are going to give any of the books we have recommended a go, please let us know your thoughts and we can add your review to our book club newsletter. Read the latest newsletter here.
Updates and insight
Louise Murphy considers the announced timescales for the implementation of Awaabs Law and what that will mean for Social Housing Providers. Read More
Victoria Coburn provides a roundup of the recent housing complaint decisions by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. Read More
Alicia Manchester explains what is meant by ‘respect orders’ and what impact they might have for Social Housing Providers. Read More
Beth Hyams considers the latest update from the Housing Ombudsman on inspections and knowledge and information management. Read More
Aaron Taylor considers who is responsible for deposit protection. Read More
Housing Law News
Awaab’s Law
On 6th February 2025 the government announced that Awaab’s Law will come into force from October in a phased approach. For the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments announcement see here
Crime and Policing Bill
On 25th February 2025 the Crime and Policing Bill was introduced to the House of Commons. For details of the bill see here
Court Fees
Court fees will increase from 1st April.
The new fees can be found see here
Regulation Fees
On 12th February 2025 the Regulator for Social Housing wrote to all Registered Providers setting out the regulation fees for 2025-26.
The new fees can be found here
Damp and Mould Complaints
On 25th February the Housing Ombudsman published its latest ‘learning from severe maladministration report’ which focuses on inspections and knowledge and information management within damp and mould complaints. You can read the report see here
Upcoming events
16th March 2025
Our next free online legal surgery will take place between 2pm and 4pm. Please email dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk to book your place.
2nd April 2025
Our next free webinar ‘Consumer Standards a Year On’ is hosted by Louise Murphy and Tom Knox. Please email dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk to book your place.
If you want to be added to our mailing list to receive updates on free training and events, please get in touch.
Case of the month
Yorkshire Housing v Scott
Nearly Legal has featured a case Phillip Coburn dealt with regarding S21 Notices and Starter Tenancies. Read More
Contact us, we are here to help
We’re here to help, so please pick up the phone or drop us an email and one of our dedicated team will help with your enquiry.