MSB’s Social Housing Highlight – May 2023

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 here.

This month we are also introducing our Commercial Litigation team, in particular our head of Civil Litigation, Mark Forman. You may have caught Mark at our free Webinar in May, which covered Construction Disputes and the Building Safety Act.

The latest at MSB

This month we delivered our free Webinar on Construction Disputes and the Building Safety Act, with Mark Forman and Jonathan Alderton. The team has also been out delivering bespoke training to different organisations, as well as training virtual training sessions. If you are interested in these sessions, please contact dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk.

This month has been packed with excitement here at MSB Solicitors. We kicked off with the launch of our first ever Building Safety Focus Group in collaboration with Pennington Choices. The session was a remarkable success, and we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a follow-up event later in the year.

Here are a few more quick highlights from the month:

  • Louise Murphy was part of a panel, sharing her expertise on the crucial housing rights of domestic abuse survivors and the law on joint tenancies at the Family and Housing Domestic Abuse Conference.
  • Andrew Fairman and Dominique Owens represented MSB Solicitors at the CHIC Conference in Telford.
  • Amy Tagoe from our Social Housing team and Melissa Bosoboe from our Property team attended the Women in Property Afternoon Tea at Australasia.
  • We also were honoured to attend the Law Fair at the University of Chester, and a Student Futures event at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Mental Health Awareness week was 12th -18th May. We have been thinking about how our team try to take care of mental wellbeing in the workplace. Rachael Payne explains more here.

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 read this month is ‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama.’ Read the latest newsletter here.

Updates and insight

Michelle Summers considers ‘ordinary noise’ and ASB. Read More.

Phill Coburn summarises the recent housing complaint decisions by the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman. Read More.

Raihan Arif shares some further information on the consultation on the ASB Action Plan. Read More.

Andy Moore discusses the proposed changes in the Renters (Reform) Bill. Read More.

Sarah Sharples summarises the Supported Housing (regulatory oversight) Bill. Read More.

Eamon Sexton shares some information about additional support that can be offered to Domestic Abuse victim. Read More.

Housing Law News

Renters (Reform) Bill

On 17th May 2023, the Renters (Reform) Bill was entered into parliament. It has been described as the biggest shakeup of renter’s rights in England and Wales since 1980’s. Andy Moore explains more above.

Temporary Accommodation for Homeless People

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has issued good practice guidance on temporary accommodation for homeless people. Find the Guide here.

ASB Action Plan

The consultation closed on 22nd May 2023 and the feedback is currently being analysed. For more information on what the consultation included please find the consultation document here.

Housing Ombudsman

The Housing Ombudsman has published their report ‘Spotlight on Knowledge and Information Management. For a copy of the report click here.

Upcoming events

3rd May 2023

Our next free webinar, ‘A Social Housing Legislation Update’ is on 7th June 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.

23rd June 2023

Join Women in Social Housing and Women in Property as they take on the Three Shires Challenge to raise money for the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation. Book now.

26th June 2023

Louise Murphy has been shortlisted for two awards at the Women in Housing/Housing Hero’s awards. She has been shortlisted for Woman of the Year alongside Inspiration Leader. Good Luck Louise!

27th-29th June 2023

CIH 2023. We are sponsoring the ASB workshop on 27th June 2023, pop along and say hello.

28th June 2023

On 28th June 2023 we’ll be hosting ‘Sangria and Social Housing’ – an evening of networking, food, and drinks at Manchester’s Evuna from 5pm-9pm. We would love to see you there. Email dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk to be added to the guest list

6th July 2023

CIH regional event. How to prepare for the professionalism agenda. The link to book is here.

Case of the month

Owen v Blackhorse Ltd

The Court of Appeal held that a litigant can ‘appear’ at a small claims track hearing by their legal representative. Tom Stockton explains more here.