MSB’s Social Housing Highlight – October 2024
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! We were ranked in the Legal 500 in tier two with Lousie Murphy being recognised as a Next Generation Partner and Amy Tagoe being recognised as a Leading Associate. Philip Coburn, Andrew Fairman, Andy Moore, Beth McKeown and Tom Stockton were also recognised as key lawyers. We were also ranked for the first time in Chambers and Partners with Louise Murphy being ranked.
More exciting news, we are growing again! We have 5 new members of our team. In Manchester, Stephen Postlethwaite is joining us as a solicitor and Jess Morris joins us as paralegal. In Cheshire Darcy Scott and Caitlin Carr have joined us as paralegals and Dawn Lamb joins as an administration assistant. They are all great additions to the team.
Even more exciting news Beth McKeown got married. It was a gorgeous day, and we loved celebrating with her and her new husband. You might see a change to her email footer as she will now be known as Beth Hyams.
There have been lots of other celebrations this month and we have celebrated Diwali and Black History Month. We were spoilt with a delicious feast for Diwali and have been involved with a number of events throughout the month and across the firm for Black History Month. Jessica Masih was invited to be a part of a panel with Liverpool City Region Race Equality Hub talking to students aged 14-16 from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds about different paths into law. 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 this month was on Domestic Abuse and Joint Tenancies. It was hosted by Louise Murphy, and she was joined by Nicola Harris and Barbara Crawford Jones from our family department. We also hosted some bespoke online training sessions for clients and some in person sessions. If you are interested in arranging training sessions or our new coaching sessions, please contact dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk .
We have been out and about this month with Andrew Fairman speaking at the Pro-Manchester Property and Regeneration Lunch. Our partners took part in an away day where they explored risk to understand how we view and manage risk individually and as an organisation. They also worked on the psychology of mental toughness and how we can build resilience as individuals and as a team.
Our Book Club reads this month are: The Comfort Food Café by Debbie Johnson, The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson, The Christmas Train by David Baldacci and Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. If you are going to read any of the books we have recommended, 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
Housing Law News
Autmn Budget 2024
On 30th October 2024 Chancellor Rachael Reeves delivered the Autumn Budget. A full copy can be read here and the keys issues for housing can be read here.
Damp and Mould
The Housing Ombudsman has shared over 100 severe maladministration cases on damp and mould to help prevent future failings. You can read the report here.
Consultation on Decent Homes Standard
On 22nd September 2024 the Government announced that it would consult on a new Decent Homes Standard. Awaab’s Law legislation for the social rented sector will be brought forward and it will be extended to the private rented sector though the Renters Rights Bill.
Sector Risk Profile
On 17th October 2024 the Regulator of Social Housing published its annual sector risk report. You can read the report here.
Brownfield Land release fund
The government had announced that £68 million will go to 54 councils to unlock disused brownfield sites to help achieve the ambition of building 1.5 million homes.
Renters Right Bill
The Renters Rights Bill had its second reading in Parliament on 9th October. For a summary of the proposed changes see here.
Upcoming events
6th November 2024
Our next free webinar Tenancy Fraud is hosted by Amy Tagoe and Andrew Fairman. 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.
20th November 2024
Our next free online legal surgery will take place between 2pm and 4pm. Please email dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk to book your place.
Case of the month
Laverty v Citizen Housing Group
The case considers ‘intention to return’. Amy Tagoe summarises the case. Read here
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.