MSB’s Social Housing Highlight – July 2023
Welcome to MSB’s monthly Social Housing Newsletter!
Bringing you all the latest updates from the world of Social Housing.
We now have our own LinkedIn page. Please follow us for regular updates and insights in the world of Social Housing and Regeneration.
This month we are also introducing our Commercial team; in particular, Brad Armstrong who is Head of Property.
The latest at MSB
Andy Moore, Andrew Fairman and Louise Murphy delivered our latest free webinar this month, where they discussed best practice in ASB Injunction proceedings using a mock trial. Phillip Coburn has also been delivering bespoke training to clients this month. If you are interested in arranging training sessions with the team, please contact dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk.
We had a great time at the CIH Housing Conference. We loved being part of the collaboration hub with Midland Heart discussing the ASB Action plan and welcoming our clients to our reception on the Wednesday evening. We attended some interesting talks throughout the conference, building on our knowledge, and had a brilliant time socialising and networking over the three days. Julia Michalczyk kept a note of what we had been up to over the 3 days read more here.
Exciting news! Louise Murphy won the Inspirational Leader of the Year award at the Housing Hero’s, Women in Housing Awards. It was very mush deserved and we are all very proud of her.
Amy Tagoe from our team and Melissa Bosoboe, Emma Cunningham, Molly Quirke, Corale Holmes and Poppy Hind from MSB’s property team attended the Women in Property Summer Social. Amy Tagoe and Jess Masih attended the Women in Social Housing Event on Shared Ownership and Andy Moore, Rebecca Collins and Rachael Payne attended the BeeFair event in Manchester.
Louise Murphy, Amy Tagoe and Nicola Garrett took part in the Three Peaks, Three Shires Challenge walk with Women in Social Housing and Women in Property to raise money for the Diane Modhal Sports Foundation. 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 recommended Book Club reads this month are ‘The Master and Magarita by Mikhail Bulgakov’, ‘The Secret life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd’ and Little women by ‘Louisa May Alcott’. Read the latest newsletter here.
Updates and insight
Louise Murphy summarises the Regulator of Social Housing’s report on Damp and Mould.
Beth McKeown discusses ‘The Better Social Housing Review’.
Rachael Payne summarises the recent case of Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames v Anor which dealt with failure to occupy.
Andy Moore summarises the recent case of Jones v Birmingham City Council and the Secretary of State for the Home Department which considered the standard of proof for Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions.
Housing Law News
Social Housing (Regulation) Act
The Social Housing (Regulation) Act received royal assent on 20th July 2023. The Government’s aim was to bring about ‘transformational change’ for social housing residents, placing the needs of tenants at the heart of reforms to improve the quality of life for those living in social housing. Amy Tagoe explains more.
Inquiry into Shared Ownership
On 20th July 2023 the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee launched an inquiry into Shared Ownership. Melissa Bosoboe explains more.
Consultation on Consumer Standards
On 25th July 2023 the Regulator of Social Housing launched a consultation on a set of standards for social landlords which are designed to afford more protection to tenants and improve service levels. Bethany McKeown explains more.
Building Safety (Responsible Actors Scheme and Prohibitions) Regulations 2023
The Regulations came into force on 4th July to establish the Responsible Actors Scheme and the prohibitions under the Building Safety Act 2022. For the regulations click here.
Upcoming events
2nd August 2023
Our next free webinar on ASB, Mental Health and Neurodiversity is on 2nd August 2023 via Zoom. 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
Reading Borough Council v Holland [2023] EWHC 1902 (ch)
The Court of Appeal considered the Public Sector Equality Duty in a possession claim. Raihan Arif explains more.