Insight
Building better in the next Parliament
Building regulations and safety will likely see critical changes in the coming year under the new Parliament
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Insight
Housing: Raising quality and supply
The most pressing challenge facing the housing sector is to achieve a sustained increase in housebuilding
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Research Briefing
Implementation of the Housing and Planning Act 2016
The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (HPA 2016) received Royal Assent on 12 May 2016. This briefing paper outlines progress in implementing the Act's provisions. Several key measures in the Act will not be taken forward, such as 'pay to stay' and mandatory fixed-term tenancies for local authority landlords in England.
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Research Briefing
Under-occupying social housing: Housing Benefit entitlement
This Briefing Paper provides information on which claimants are affected by the reduction in Housing Benefit/housing element of Universal Credit when under-occupying a social rented home. The policy is often referred to as 'the removal of the Spare Room Subsidy' or the 'bedroom tax'. The benefit reduction has been in place since 1 April 2013. The paper has been updated to include some of the more recent legal challenges to the under-occupation deduction.
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Research Briefing
Local government in England: capital finance
An introduction to capital finance and borrowing by local authorities in England, including details on the Public Works Loan Board, local authority bonds, and tax increment financing.
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Debate Pack
Building out extant planning permissions
This pack has been prepared ahead of the debate to be held in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 30 October 2019 at 9.30am on building out extant planning permissions. The debate will be opened by Anne Milton MP.
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Research Briefing
Commons Library Analysis of the Environment Bill 2019
The Environment Bill 2019 was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 14 October 2019. First Reading was on 15 October 2019. This briefing paper sets out the background to the Bill, reaction to it and its main provisions. This Bill fell at dissolution prior to the General Election in 2019 and is no longer current.
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Research Briefing
Rough sleepers: access to services and support (England)
Rough sleepers are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, many with high levels of complex and interrelated needs. This paper provides an overview of the support and services - including accommodation, health, welfare, training, employment and voter registration - that are available for rough sleepers in England, and the challenges rough sleepers can face in accessing them.
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Research Briefing
Houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) England and Wales
This briefing paper sets out the legal framework in England and Wales for controlling standards in HMOs. It considers the powers available to local authorities to carry out enforcement work.
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Research Briefing
Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs)
This briefing paper explains local authorities' powers to tackle privately owned dwellings that have been empty for two years through the use of an Empty Dwelling Management Order.
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Research Briefing
Must planning committees follow officers’ advice in reaching decisions?
This briefing examines the relationship between planning officers and councillors and how published guidance deals with the considerations that might arise when planning committees overturn officers’ advice. It applies to England only.
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Research Briefing
Right to Rent: private landlords’ duty to carry out immigration status checks
This briefing paper provides an overview of Right to Rent checks which must be carried out by private landlords/agents in England. The checks were introduced by the Immigration Act 2014. Breaches may, in some circumstances, amount to a criminal offence after changes introduced by the Immigration Act 2016 on 1 December 2016. The checks are controversial and have been subject to legal challenge.
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Research Briefing
Anti-social neighbours living in private housing (England)
This briefing paper outlines the legal position and potential remedies available where people find themselves living next door to tenants of private landlords or owner-occupiers who exhibit anti-social behaviour (ASB). The briefing focuses on the legal position in England.
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Research Briefing
Anti-social behaviour in social housing (England)
This briefing paper provides an overview of the remedies available to social landlords to deal with tenants who exhibit anti-social behaviour. The paper focuses on England but some of the same legislation applies in Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate under different legislative regimes. The Home Office updated guidance for frontline professionals dealing with ASB in August 2019.
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Debate Pack
Debate on a motion on the British house building industry
On 5 September 2019 there will be a debate on a motion on the British house building industry. The debate will take place in the main Chamber and will be led by Siobhain McDonagh.
Total results (page 24 of 44)