Housing Update

Legislation and Guidance

On 30 April 2007 it became unlawful to discriminate in the provision of housing, access to housing or by subjecting a person to eviction or other detriment on grounds of their religious or other belief or sexual orientation: Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1263) and Equality Act 2006 (Commencement No 2) Order 2007 (SI 2007/1092).
Demands for service charges and administration charges if made on or after 1 October 2007 will only be payable if accompanied by a summary of the tenant’s rights and obligations: s 21B (1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 which comes into effect on this date. The form and content of the summaries for each of these charges are set out in the Service Charges (Summary of Rights and Obligations, and Transitional Provisions) (England) Regulations (SI 2007/1257) and the Administration Charges (Summary of Rights and Obligations) (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1258). 

Tolerated Trespass

The concept of tolerated trespass and the decision in Harlow v Hall DC [2006]