In case you were not already aware, the Localism Bill received Royal Assent on 14 November 2011 and will now pass into law as the Localism Act. In the coming weeks and months the measures in the Localism Act will begin to come into effect. Many of the measures are expected to be in place by April 2012.
For further information, including a summary of the key measures, please see the link below.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/newsroom/2030130
For the DCLG plain English guide to the Localism Act, please see this link:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1896534.pdf
In summary – the housing measures will:
- Abolish the requirement to have a Home Improvement Pack.
- Reform the Housing Revenue Account system for stock holding local authorities which may enable many to develop new Council housing.
- Provide for a new form of flexible tenure for social housing tenants.
- Allow local authorities to discharge their duties to homeless people by using private rented accommodation.
- Give local authorities the power to limit who can apply for social housing within their areas.
- Abolish the Tenant Services Authority and provide for a transfer of functions to the Homes and Communities Agency.
- Amend the way in which a social tenant can make a complaint about their landlord.
- Improve the ability of social tenants to move to different areas.
You can read the Act by clicking here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/contents/enacted/data.htm
Should you have any questions regarding the above please do not hesitate to contact Simon Jenkins or Andrew Seddon on 01243 771304 or simonjenkins@adamsintegra.co.uk or andrewseddon@adamsintegra.co.uk.
