MSB’s Social Housing Highlight – June 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! Follow us for regular updates and insights into the world of Social Housing and Regeneration.
This month, we’re putting the spotlight on our Commercial Property team, in particular Melissa Bosoboe who heads up the Commercial Property side of our Social Housing and Regeneration team. Melissa explains more about what our Commercial Property team can do for registered social landlords here.
CIH – HOUSING 23
We are at Housing 2023!
Come and see us on Tuesday 27th June at 9.30am at the Collaboration Hub, where our Head of Anti-Social Behaviour and Leasehold, Andy Moore, along with Vicki Brownhill and Jack Kelly from Midland Heart will discuss whether you can build stronger communities with the help of the ASB Action Plan.
Don’t forget to contact us to be added to our guest list for our ‘Social Housing and Sangria’ event at Evuna on 28th June at 4.30pm. We will be there to help you unwind after a busy day with an abundance of tapas and tipples as well as music and flamenco dancing.
We can’t wait to see you!
The latest at MSB
Andy Moore and Phillip Coburn delivered our free webinar this month, providing an update on Social Housing legislation. Louise Murphy, Beth McKeown and Thomas Stockton also delivered an in-person training event at our Manchester office on Disrepair and Access.
If you are interested in arranging training sessions with the team, please contact dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk.
We have also been keeping up to date and expanding our expertise with Rachael Payne, Michelle Summers and Raihan Arif attending the LAG Housing Conference in London, whilst some of the team attended neurodiversity training.
Aishath Ahmed and Jessica Masih from our team were successful in securing training contacts with MSB. We are absolutely thrilled and know they are going to make excellent solicitors.
The team had a fabulous evening at the Manchester Law Society Awards. Congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted.
We are very excited for the Women in Housing and Housing Heroes awards later this month where our Head of Social Housing & Regeneration, Louise Murphy, has been shortlisted for not one but two awards!
Amy Tagoe from our team, as well as Melissa Bosoboe, Emma Cunningham and Molly Quirke from MSB’s property team attended the Women in Property late lunch.
Raihan Arif and Connor O’Riley attended Landmark’s Breakfast Social at our offices in Hardman Square.
The team took part in a beautifully sunny Childhood Day mile walk in aid of the NSPCC. We have also been involved with Primary Inspirations Careers Carousel with some of the team attending local primary schools to explain what we do and inspire the next generation.
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. Tom explains more about MSB’s commitment to social values here.
MSB have also been supporting Men’s Health Week which runs from 12th – 18th June 2023 by adopting the ‘can do’ challenge. For more information, see here.
Our recommended Book Club read this month is ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama’. Read the latest newsletter here.
Updates and insight
Andrew Fairman explains more about access injunctions and when they can be used.
Louise Murphy summarises the recent Ombudsman’s report on Knowledge and Information Management.
Thomas O’Reilly explains the key differences between tenancies, contracts and deeds.
Amy Tagoe summarises the key findings in the recent High Court decision in Kaye v Lees relating to Mental Health Crisis Moratorium’s.
Housing Law News
Rent Standard
The Regulator of Social Housing has published an updated Rent Standard which registered providers of social housing must comply with. To access the rent standard documents, click here.
Housing Ombudsman
The Housing Ombudsman has launched a spotlight investigation into what it means to be a vulnerable tenant in social housing. The Ombudsman is asking for social landlords to provide evidence for the report by 28th July 2023. For more information and to respond, click here.
On 2nd June 2023 the Housing Ombudsman published a roundup of good practice by landlords derived from ASB and disrepair cases for the article, see here.
Inquiry into the Finances and Sustainability of the Social Housing Sector
On 12th June 2023 the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee held the first evidence session of its inquiry into the finances and sustainability of the social housing sector. The inquiry follows the Regulation of Social Housing report published in July 2022. For further information about the inquiry, see here.
Upcoming events
5th July 2023
Our next free webinar on ASB Injunctions, featuring a mock trial, is on 5th July 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.
5th July 2023
WISH North West Event: How can an Energised Brand Support Customers? Exploring the management of shareholder and leaseholder properties.
6th July 2023
CIH regional event. How to prepare for the professionalism agenda. The link to book is here.
Case of the month
Avon v Canary Gateway (Block A) RTM [2023] EWCA Civ 616
The Court of Appeal held that a shared ownership lease is a long lease within the definition in Section 76 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002. Andy Moore explains more here.