MSB’s Social Housing Highlight – September 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.
The latest at MSB
We have lots of exciting news this month that we can’t wait to share with you!
Andrew Fairman has been invited to be a Partner at MSB. He has relocated to our Manchester office to lead a team of solicitors as we continue to grow our presence in the North. Andrew explains more about what it means for the team going forward, here.
Amy Tagoe has been made a Senior Associate at MSB and will be Head of Housing Management within the team. If you are interested in some Housing Management training or legal surgeries, please get in touch with Amy at amytagoe@msbsolicitors.co.uk for more information.
Julia Michalczyk has finished her training contact and is now a qualified solicitor. She is joining Andrew working from our Manchester office.
We are delighted to have been shortlisted for an award at the Liverpool Law Society Legal Awards in November. We are in the category of Outstanding Team in Dispute Resolution and Litigation. Fingers crossed!
The team is expanding. This month we have been joined by Shathisa Perera, who will be working as a paralegal in the Housing Conditions team and Diane Parker Allen who will be a paralegal in the Market Rents team. They are both already proving to be great additions.
We have been out and about a bit this month; Amy Tagoe joined Women in Property and Freshwalks on a net-walking event to Hilbre Island, Rachael Payne attended a Women in Property event on social media, and Abigail Eaves attended Janine Green’s ASB event.
We also delivered two free webinars this month. Our first was hosted by Louise Murphy, Thomas Stockton and Beth McKeown, who discussed Housing Condition Claims and Access. Our second session covered the changes brought in by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act and was hosted by Louise Murphy and Andy Moore. If you are interested in arranging training sessions with the team, please contact dominiqueowens@msbsolicitors.co.uk.
We have been taking part in ‘KNow your numbers’ week this month. The offices have been provided with blood pressure monitors so that we can all be a bit more health aware. Blood pressure can be a good indication of underlying health issues.
Some of the team have signed up to the RPS M60 challenge to raise money for Francis House Childrens Hospice. The challenge was to run, walk or cycle the length of the M60 throughout September. We are a bit competitive in our team and Abigail Eaves was the first to cover the 36.1 miles… But which one of us will cover the most distance? 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 Book Club reads this month are ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho and ‘The Song of Achilles’ by Madeline Miller. Read the latest newsletter here.
Updates and insight
Beth McKeown shares her top tips on using data in disrepair, here.
Julia Michalczyk discusses what landlords need to consider in relation to Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms, here.
Louise Murphy summarises the changes to CPR which will impact on Social Housing Cases, here.
Thomas Stockton explores the guidance issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the health risks of damp and mould in the home, here.
Housing Law News
Consumer Standards Consultation
The Regulator of Social Housing Consultation on ‘Consumer Standards’ closes on 17th October 2023. For more information and to respond to the consultation, click here.
Fees Consultations
On 5th September 2023, the Regulator launched its consultation on fees charged to RP’s. For more information and to respond to the consultation, click here.
Support Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act
The Act came into force on 29th August 2023 and gives the Secretary of State power to introduce national standards and local authorities power to introduce licencing schemes. For a copy of the act, see here.
Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home
On 7th September 2023 the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) along with the Department of Health and Social Care and the UK Health Security Agency published guidance on the health risks of damp and mould in the home. For a copy of the guidance, click here.
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)
On 7th September 2023 the Regulator wrote to all RP’s in England advising them to check for RAAC in their buildings. For a copy of the letter, click here.
Review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
On 7th September DLUHC published their findings following their review of the HHSRS. The review proposed several key changes including reducing the number of hazards from 29 to 21 to simplify the banding and there will be new operating and enforcement guidance published. For a copy of the review, click here.
Housing Ombudsman Insight Report
An Insight Report from the Housing Ombudsman was published on 12th September 2023 and covers pests, gas safety, mutual exchange, and tenancy warning letters. For a copy of the report, see here.
The latest quarterly from the Housing Ombudsman was published on 19th September 2023 and covers Complaint Handling Failure Orders issued April to June 2023. For a copy of the report, see here.
Upcoming events
3rd October 2023
Join Women in Property North West for their online event ‘Neurodiversity, Three Lived Experiences’ via zoom. For more information, click here.
4th October 2023
Our next free webinar on Leasehold Property and Service Charges is on 4th October 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.