Housing Solicitors

The Local Government Association (LGA) is to investigate how changes in the law could prevent councils from moving their homeless families to other areas.

Canterbury City Council lobbied the LGA on the issue, after the London Borough of Redbridge outbid Canterbury for the opportunity to lease 147 homes on the Howe Barracks site in the city.

The council’s Leader, Councillor Simon Cook and Chief Executive, Colin Carmichael wrote to the LGA in June. In the letter, the council asked the LGA to support it in “lobbying the government for a change in the law to stop councils buying or leasing homes in other council areas to use for temporary accommodation without prior consent and agreement”.

The letter expressed concern for families who were left with no choice but to “move away from friends, family and support networks” – and also set out the “unfair and unplanned burden” upon the local authorities in the area they moved to.

The letter also suggests a potential change in the law to allow the local housing authority first refusal on the properties in cases where a significant number of houses are available to buy or lease.

In a response to Canterbury City’s Council’s letter, LGA Chairman Lord Porter said his organisation recognised the issue – and that there were lessons that could be learned from the council’s experience. He added that the movement of people needed to be “effectively planned and managed”.

In a letter dated 18 July, Lord Porter writes:

“The LGA will seek to lead this as part of our work on the future services for preventing homelessness and adapting to welfare reform – and will investigate how legislative change may help enable this.”

Cllr Cook said:

“We’re pleased that the LGA agrees this is a matter of concern – and we’ll be working closely with them over the coming months.

“It’s a complex situation, but we are clear that without any action, further problems will occur.

“Local residents do not understand why such a large amount of housing is not available for our own people to live in – and we share their concern.

“A law change could address this – and we’ll continue to push for this through the LGA.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis property and housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising on Local Authority housing and homelessness – and council’s obligation to re-house.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across the UK and our property lawyers and housing team are also able to advise on:

• Conveyancing services
• Debt management for homeowners
• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlords’ obligations
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Lease extensions
• Mortgage repossession
• Notice to quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Right to Buy
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.