The court was asked as to the nature and effect of tenancies for life granted by fully mutual housing co-operatives and in particular how they can lawfully be brought to an end and a possession order obtained. The tenants sought a declaration of incompatibility in respect of section 80. The Co-operative was fully mutual and … Continue reading Southward Housing Co-Operative Ltd v Walker and Another: ChD 8 Jun 2015
Provisions against discrimination on religious grounds in Northern Ireland, could apply to appointment of a firm to a panel of experts, where one person was designated to carry out that work. ‘it is essential, for there to be ’employment,’ that the person making the contract shall himself undertake to do, at any rate, some of … Continue reading Kelly v Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Loughran v Northern Ireland Housing Executive: HL 29 Jul 1998
The local authority landlord commenced proceedings for possession, but then transferred the properties to a registered social landlord. The tenants objected that the new landlords could not continue the proceedings. Held: The transfer moved tenants from the secure tenancy regime to the assured tenancy regime, with different notices and procedures. The notices were not significantly … Continue reading Knowsley Housing Trust v Revell; Helena Housing Ltd v Curtis: CA 9 Apr 2003
Citations: [2013] EWHC 2169 (Ch), [2014] 1 WLR 920, [2013] L and TR 25, [2014] HLR 2, [2013] 30 EG 78, [2013] 3 EGLR 139 Links: Bailii Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 19 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 20 November 2022; Ref: scu.523726
A person with no sufficient title to land cannot create a tenancy of the land which would be binding by an estoppel if that tenancy would exclude his own possible claim for possession. Citations: Times 14-Aug-1997, [1997] EWCA Civ 2255 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Bruton v London and Quadrant Housing Trust … Continue reading Bruton v London and Quadrant Housing Trust: CA 31 Jul 1997
Citations: [1996] EWCA Civ 1080 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Bruton v London and Quadrant Housing Trust CA 31-Jul-1997 A person with no sufficient title to land cannot create a tenancy of the land which would be binding by an estoppel if that tenancy would exclude his own possible claim for possession. … Continue reading Bruton v London and Quadrant Housing Trust: CA 3 Dec 1996
The Housing Associations Act 1985 empowered a local authority to give guarantees in relation to registered housing associations. A local authority guaranteed a bank loan for an unregistered housing association. Held: A Local Authority had no power to guarantee a loan to an unregistered housing association. Section 111(1) of the 1972 Act could not be … Continue reading London Borough of Sutton v Morgan Grenfell and Co Ltd Morgan Grenfell and Co Ltd v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Sutton London Borough of Sutton v Morgan Grenfell and Co Ltd Wellesley Housing Association Ltd: CA 24 Oct 1996
Sections 27A and 20C of The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Citations: [2015] UKFTT RP – LON – 00BG – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 15 October 2022; Ref: scu.626881
The tenant appealed against an order granting possession. The tenancy, being held of a mutual housing co-operative did not have security but was in a form restricting the landlord’s right to recover possession, and the tenant resisted saying that it was worded to create a lease for life (applying the LRB case). Held: The tenant’s … Continue reading Berrisford v Mexfield Housing Co-Operative Ltd: SC 9 Nov 2011
When a landlord seeking possession of property subject to a statutory tenancy had failed to give the required written notice, the court could look to all the circumstances to decide whether that failure was to be forgiven and possession ordered. Citations: [1985] 17 HLR 260 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Minority preferred – Fernandes v … Continue reading Bradshaw v Baldwin-Wiseman: 1985
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – whether charges payable under leases within definition – whether amount payable might vary according to cost of providing services – held that charges were within definition – appeals dismissed – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s 18(1) Citations: [2010] UKUT 237 (LC), [2011] L and TR 7 … Continue reading Southern Housing Group Ltd and Another, Re Ada Lewis House and Princess of Wales Court: UTLC 15 Jul 2010
SERVICE CHARGES – scaffolding erected in connection with cyclical repairs – whether costs reasonably incurred – whether associated agent’s fees reasonable and reasonably incurred – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s19 – appeal allowed Citations: [2006] EWLands LRX – 60 – 2004 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: 17 August 2022; Ref: scu.240453
The former tenant had set out to buy the council house, but had written to say that she did not intend to go ahead. Her son who had taken over the tenancy after her death now sought, twelve years later, to require the authority to proceed at that original price. Held: The tenant’s appeal was … Continue reading Martin v Medina Housing Association Ltd: CA 31 Mar 2006
The House heard a judicial review of the Secretary of State’s assessment of the proper level of expenditure by a local authority. Held: A ‘low intensity’ of review is applied to cases involving issues ‘depending essentially on political judgment’.Lord Scarman said: ‘To sum it up, the levels of public expenditure and the incidence and distribution … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Environment, ex parte Nottinghamshire County Council: HL 12 Dec 1985
Griffiths LJ discussed the bringing of cases for possession under the summary procedure provided by Order 113: ‘There will obviously be cases in which, although proceedings are started by way of a summary procedure it quickly becomes apparent that a substantial issue has to be tried. If it was apparent to the applicant that a … Continue reading Henderson v Law: CA 1985
Judges: Pill LJ, Sedley LJ, Longmore LJ Citations: [2008] EWCA Civ 196 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 85(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Knowsley Housing Trust v White; Honeygan-Green v London Borough of Islington; Porter v Shepherds Bush Housing Association HL 10-Dec-2008 The House considered situations where a secure or … Continue reading Porter v Shepherds Bush Housing Association: CA 19 Mar 2008
LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – lease granted under Right to Buy legislation – improvement contributions – ascertainment of reference period – section 125 notices specifying reference periods notices under section 128(4) specifying later periods – construction of leases in light of these – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – appeals allowed Citations: [2006] … Continue reading Hyams and Another v Wilfred East Housing Co-Operative Ltd: LT 14 Nov 2006
The defendant had been allowed into the property under the homelessness legislation. The authority now sought possession. They said he had a licence only, but he claimed to have a secure tenancy. Held: The authority had made a mistake, and the defedant was a secure tenant. The letter offering him the property, and his receipt … Continue reading Eastleigh Borough Council v Walsh: HL 28 Mar 1985
EAT TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGSThe principles and approach which a Tribunal should take where there has been a transfer of one service provider’s activities to two or more transferees, and there is disagreement as to whether an employee’s contract is now to be with the transferor or any of the transferees, considered. The Tribunal had decided … Continue reading Kimberley Group Housing Ltd v Hambley and others (UK) Ltd: EAT 25 Apr 2008
The tenant was an assured tenant. She fell into arrears of rent and a possession order was made, but suspended on terms. The court considered whether she continued to be an assured tenant, and could assert a right to buy the property as an assured tenant of a social landlord. Held: The tenant’s appeal was … Continue reading White v Knowsley Housing Trust and Another: CA 2 May 2007
LT Service Charges – Procedure – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s.20(4) – Failure to serve copy of estimates – fees part of cost of qualifying work but not required to be included in estimate. Citations: [2006] EWLands LRX – 10 – 2005 Links: Bailii Statutes: Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 20(4) Landlord and Tenant … Continue reading Richmond Housing Partnership v Smith and Another: LT 23 Jan 2006
The officer had entered a fair rent for a caravan. The site owner sought the vacation of the entry. The caravan was fully mobile, but was also connected to mains water and electric and sewage. The connections were easily removed, and the caravan was from time to time moved. Held: Whether a caravan counted as … Continue reading Regina v Rent Officer of Nottinghamshire Registration Area, ex parte Allen: 1985
In each case the authority had obtained an order for possession of the tenanted properties, but the court had suspended the possession orders. The tenants had therefore now become ‘tolerated trespassers’. They now claimed that they had again become secure tenants, having been allowed to continue in possession after breach of the terms of the … Continue reading London Borough of Lambeth and Hyde Southbank Ltd v O’Kane, Helena Housing Ltd: CA 28 Jul 2005
The landlord sought possession of a flat on the grounds that there were arrears of rent, and that one of the tenants had used it for the sale of drugs. It now appealed a suspension of the order, saying that the unlawful user meant that suspension should be allowed only in exceptional circumstances. Held: The … Continue reading Stonebridge Housing Action Trust v Gabbidon and Another: ChD 21 Nov 2002
ECJ Article 3(1) covered the rights and obligations of the transferor arising from a contract of employment or an employment relationship existing on the date of the transfer and entered into with employees who, in order to carry out their duties, are assigned to the part of the undertaking or business transferredRotterdamsche . . claims … Continue reading Arie Botzen And Others v Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij Bv: ECJ 7 Feb 1985
The defendant local authority had licenced houses to a housing trust, which in turn granted sub-licences to the claimants who were applicants for housing under homelessness provisions, and who now asserted that they became secure tenants of the authority once the trusts licence was revoked. Held: The properties were short life properties, being scheduled for … Continue reading Kay, Gorman, etc v London Borough of Lambeth, London and Quadrant Housing Trust: CA 20 Jul 2004
In 1975 the tenant sought to exercise his right to purchase the freehold reversion of his property. The landlord argued that the rent payable precluded any such entitlement. Under the law as then understood, the landlord’s contention appeared correct. The leaseholder proceeded no further. In 1980 the law was clarified so as to indicate that … Continue reading Collin v Duke of Westminster: CA 1985
The claimant was a secure tenant of English Churches Housing Group. He was unemployed and lived on benefits. He claimed damages against his landlord for breaches of the repairing covenants implied by section 11. The court considerd the appropriate level of damages. For the breach of landlord’s covenant to repair. Held: The court allowed the … Continue reading English Churches Housing Group v Shine: CA 7 Apr 2004
The pipes in a block of flats had been changed from 1.5 to 1 inch. This was all right for some 6 years until the water pressure of the supply to the building dropped. The issue was whether there was a breach of the s.11(1) covenant. The landlords appealed saying that the section imposed upon … Continue reading O’Connor and Others v Old Etonians Housing Association Ltd: CA 20 Feb 2002
Each tenant had become unintentionally homeless, and was granted a non-secure tenancy of accommodation under section 193. Complaints of nuisance were received from neighbours. Possession orders were obtained and now challenged under the Human Rights Act. The service of the original notice to quit, engaged the Human Rights Act, but the action taken was lawful … Continue reading Smart v Sheffield City Council: Central Sunderland Housing Company Limited v Wilson: CA 25 Jan 2002
The claimant sought to oblige the respondent to repair his flat under the 1988 Act. The respondent replied that the arrangement was a licence only, and not protected under the Act. Held: The housing association had a temporary licence to occupy a house and to re-let it, but under conditions which were more consistent with … Continue reading Bruton v London and Quadrant Housing Trust: HL 24 Jun 1999
The claimant challenged a comment in a report of the respondent that his employment by a housing association was in breach of the rules. He cohabited with a partner in the firm of solicitors acting for the association. The relationship had been open, and he had disclosed the relationship when appropriate. The respondent said that … Continue reading Regina v Housing Corporation ex parte Rodgers: Admn 11 May 1999
Rent demands were made by a local authority landlord on one of its tenants. The local authority, using its powers under the Act, resolved to increase rents generally. The tenant refused to pay the increased element of the rent. He argued that the resolutions and notices of increase were ultra vires and void, on the … Continue reading Wandsworth London Borough Council v Winder: HL 1985
The court considered the meaning of ‘adjoining occupiers’ The tenant suggested that the word ‘ adjoining’ should be read literally so that the premises must be contiguous in the sense of physically joining, or being co-terminous with the holding of the tenant whose conduct was complained of. It was submitted that adjoining did not mean … Continue reading Cobstone Investments Limited v Maxim: CA 1985
1985/1987 Act Decisions Citations: [2013] UKFTT RP – CHI – 43UB – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.622948
LT LANDLORD AND TENANT- Service Charges – Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 as amended ss 18 and 19 – Housing Act 1988 ss 13 and 14 – Assured non-shorthold periodic tenancy -whether the landlord’s ability (subject to any reference to a Rent Assessment Committee) to serve a yearly notice of increase of rent (which included … Continue reading Chand v Calmore Area Housing Association Ltd: LT 25 Jul 2008
The Bank’s application for planning permission was refused on the grounds that the development might prejudice the possible future widening of a road. The local authority could have prescribed a building line in accordance with a provision of the Highways Act, 1959, but in that event would have had to pay compensation for the injurious … Continue reading Westminster Bank Limited v The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Beverley Borough Council: HL 1971
The tenant appealed against a refusal of what he said was his right to buy the flat he occupied. The Housing Association respondent and arbitrator had said that the tenancy had been assured, not secure and that therefore no right to buy had existed. After the grant of the tenancy, the Association had changed in … Continue reading Ali Bhai and Another v Black Roof Community Housing Association Ltd: CA 2 Nov 2000
The House considered the position of a statutory tenant under the 1977 Act, when application was made under the 1967 Act. Citations: [1985] AC 828 Statutes: Matrimonial Homes Act 1967 Sch2 3(1), Rent Act 1977 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Leave applied for – Gay v Sheeran, London Borough of Enfield CA 18-Jun-1999 The … Continue reading Lewis v Lewis: HL 1985
The claimant (defending proceedings for possession by the local authority) had lived with the deceased secure tenant in a lesbian relationship for some years and was so living at the date of her death. She sought to defend her occupation saying she qualified as a spouse of the deceased. Held: The defence failed: ‘I agree … Continue reading Harrogate Borough Council v Simpson: CA 1985
The defendant was employed by the local authority as a house-master at a school run by the plaintiff. He held a service licence of a furnished flat at the school expressed to be ‘for the better performance of his duties’. Later he married, and on his request was allowed to occupy a school house. Though … Continue reading Royal Philanthropic Society v County: CA 1985
The applicant and her child had been accepted to be in emergency housing need, and had been given temporary bedsit accomodation in a facility they owned and managed. She had a sink, cooker and fridge, and shared bathroom and toilet facilities and a communal sitting room. She had a licence only, and no tenancy. She … Continue reading Regina v East Hertfordshire District Council, Ex parte Hunt: 1985
There is a strong presumption that Parliament will not legislate to prevent individuals affected by legal measures promulgated by executive public bodies having a fair opportunity to challenge these measures and to vindicate their rights in court proceedings doing so. Viscount Simonds said: ‘It is a principle not by any means to be whittled down … Continue reading Pyx Granite Ltd v Ministry of Housing and Local Government: HL 1959
Northern : Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – Section 20ZA Citations: [2014] UKFTT RP – MAN – 00BW – Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 27 April 2022; Ref: scu.629829
The second respondent sought a certificate from the Council determining that the lawful use of its store extended to sales of unlimited categories of goods including food. A certificate to that effect was refused by the Council, but granted by a planning inspector on appeal, and upheld by the lower courts. The Council, as local … Continue reading London Borough of Lambeth v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Others: SC 3 Jul 2019
The House considered the concept of a spent planning consent. Held: This was a mineral operation and every shovelful dug amounted to another act of development. Therefore, although it had been begun, the planning permission was not spent and remained capable of implementation. A planning permission enures for the benefit of the relevant land and … Continue reading Pioneer Aggregates (UK) Limited v Secretary of State for the Environment: HL 1985
The court was asked whether the arrangement between the parties amiunted to a Qualifying Long Term Agreement within section 20 ZA. N Strauss [2013] EWHC B10 (Ch) Bailii Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 19 20 20ZA England and Wales Landlord and Tenant Updated: 20 January 2022; Ref: scu.513531
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – Service Charge – jurisdiction of FTT to hear application challenging the reasonableness of a service charge under sections 18, 19 and 27A(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 when that had already been determined by the county court – applicability of section 27A(4)(c) of the Landlord and Tenant Act … Continue reading Cowling v Worcester Community Housing Ltd: UTLC 14 Sep 2015
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charge – whether estate service charge are a recoverable head of expenditure under Sub-underleases – determination of the extent of liability of the sub-underlessees – true construction of terms of Sub-underleases – whether LVT misdirected itself on the aspect of ‘reasonableness’ pursuant to Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s. … Continue reading One Housing Group Leasholders of 29 Flats In Navigation Court: UTLC 16 Jul 2014
A consent order provided for a substantial payment to the tenant, who was claiming damages for failure to maintain the premises in good repair. The landlord now sought possession. Held: There was no implied admission that the landlord was entitled to possession under the section.Sir John Donaldson MR: ‘The question which then arises is whether … Continue reading Regina v Bloomsbury and Marylebone County Court, ex parte Blackburne: CA 1985
UTLC LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – LVT determined charges reasonable – accountancy evidence disputing charges had been incurred – s.27A Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 – LVT failed to have regard to tenant’s evidence and failed to determine if charges actually incurred before determining reasonableness [2013] UKUT 153 (LC) Bailii Landlord and Tenant … Continue reading Brown and Another v Island Homes Housing Association Ltd: UTLC 13 May 2013
Same Sex Paartner to Inherit as Family Member The claimant had lived with the original tenant in a stable and long standing homosexual relationship at the deceased’s flat. After the tenant’s death he sought a statutory tenancy as a spouse of the deceased. The Act had been extended to include as a spouse someone living … Continue reading Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd: HL 28 Oct 1999
When a licence is really a tenancy The document signed by the occupier stated that she understood that she had been given a licence, and that she understood that she had not been granted a tenancy protected under the Rent Acts. Exclusive occupation was in fact granted. Held: This was a tenancy not a licence. … Continue reading Street v Mountford: HL 6 Mar 1985
Three women, all lawfully settled in the UK, had married third-country nationals but, at first, the Secretary of State had refused permission for their husbands to remain with them, or join them, in the UK. Held: The refusals of permission had not infringed the rights of the women and of their husbands to respect for … Continue reading Abdulaziz etc v The United Kingdom: ECHR 28 May 1985
The House considered situations where a secure or assured tenancy had been made subject to a suspended possession order and where despite the tenant failing to comply with the conditions, he had been allowed to continue in occupation. Held: Mrs White remained an assured tenant despite the continued suspended possession order. Mr Porter was entitled … Continue reading Knowsley Housing Trust v White; Honeygan-Green v London Borough of Islington; Porter v Shepherds Bush Housing Association: HL 10 Dec 2008
LT LANDLORD AND TENANT – service charges – whether gardening and internal cleaning costs reasonably incurred – additional 25% deduction by LVT – use of LVT’s own expertise as an expert tribunal – whether . .
The respondent was a mutual housing co-operative, and the claimant its tenant. The tenant kept a dog in the premises without the consent of the other tenants in breach of the terms of the lease. A notice to quit was served on him. His tenancy was . .
Dispensation of all or any of the consultation requirements provided for by Section 20 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 . .
The claimant sought to have transferred to her, her father’s agency for the wholesale distribution of Sunday newspapers. The claimant alleging sex discrimination after being refused. The company said that she was not an employee within the 1975 Act. . .
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Appeal against possession order in respect of tenant with security under the 1985 Act who had twice been convicted of growing cannabis at the house, and was in arrears of rent. Held: The council’s appeal against refusal of an order for summary possession. The Act gave the court the power to postpone an order for … Continue reading Wandsworth London Borough Council v Whibley: CA 14 Nov 2008
The appellant had been fostered by the deceased, and on her death continued to live in her house held under a secure tenancy of the respondent. The council sought possession, saying that he was not a member of the deceased’s family within section 113, and that in any event he had not occupied the property … Continue reading Steven We Ping Wall v Sheffield City Council: CA 23 Mar 2006
A possession order was granted against a secure tenant by the court for arrears of rent. The tenant then applied to suspend the order, and the landlord opposed that application wishing to put before the court additional allegations. Held: Provided the tenant had been served with satisfactory notice of the matters upon which the landlord … Continue reading Sheffield City Council v Hopkins: CA 19 Jun 2001
The tenant had fallen into arrears, and a possession order had been made. Having cleared the arrears, the possession order fell, but the landlord purported to issue a new tenancy agreement, with no security of tenure. They now sought possession under the new tenancy agreement. The tenant appealed a finding that he no longer enjoyed … Continue reading Swindon Borough Council v Aston: CA 19 Dec 2002
The council having obtained a possession order, suspended on terms, through court proceedings, later sought to enforce the order by a warrant for possession issued without first giving notice to the tenant. The tenant alleged that the grant of the warrant was in breach of his right to a fair trial. Held: The hearing at … Continue reading St Brice and Another v Southwark London Borough Council: CA 17 Jul 2001
There were three issues; (1) whether it was proper for the judge to have struck out disrepair proceedings when it could be seen that an application to discharge or rescind a suspended possession order would be likely to succeed (2) whether the secure tenancy revived automatically once it could be seen that the suspended possession … Continue reading Marshall v Bradford Metropolitan District Council: CA 27 Apr 2001
The authority had taken possession proceedings against the secure tenant for non-payment of rent, and obtained an order, suspended on condition as to payments. He again fell into arrears, and the authority made a further agreement. They now sought issue of a warrant, and the tenant argued that a new possession was required, saying that … Continue reading Greenwich London Borough Council v Regan: CA 31 Jan 1996
A youth had left care, and been given a secure tenancy. He was convicted of an offence, including one for having stolen goods at the flat. He was sentenced to six months detention, and the council applied for possession. On release he asked for the possession to be suspended, but the order was made. On … Continue reading Grogan v Greenwich London Borough Council: CA 2 Mar 2000
A possession warrant issued under a secure tenancy of a dwelling-house may not be set aside after its execution, unless the possession order itself was set aside for example as having been obtained by fraud. If a possession order has been made, there was no need to notify the tenant that the warrant was issued … Continue reading Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council v Hill: CA 25 Apr 1994
The council had obtained possession orders for two properties from secure tenants, but the orders were suspended for so long as rent arrears were being discharged. The judges had understood that a date must appear on the possession order. Held: McPhail suggested that ‘whereas as against squatters owners of land who obtained an order for … Continue reading Bristol City Council v Hassan and Glastonbury: CA 23 May 2006
The court was asked, whether asked to grant possession against a disabled tenant where the grounds for possession were mandatory. The defendant was a secure tenant with a history of psychiatric disability. He had set out to buy his flat, but the council sought possession when it discovered that he had sublet. Held: Section 23(3)(c) … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm and Disability Rights Commission: CA 25 Jul 2007
The court considered the right to succeed to a secure tenancy which has terminated during the lifetime of the tenant as a result of a possession order, but with the former tenant remaining in possession as ‘a tolerated trespasser’, and having a right to apply for the revival of his tenancy under s 85 of … Continue reading Austin v London Borough of Southwark: CA 16 Feb 2009
The claimant applied to the Council for accommodation, claiming to be homeless and in priority need. The council housed him in a hotel owned by Mr Manek in Tooting Bec . He had a room, a separate bathroom and lavatory, and shared use of a kitchen. After three days the council completed their investigations. Though … Continue reading Mohamed v Manek and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: CA 28 Apr 1995
An unlawful eviction did not of itself constitute an emergency giving the applicant ‘priority need’ for housing. The event that results in the homelessness of the person claiming a priority need must have the characteristics of being ‘an emergency’ and ‘a disaster’. The omission of the word ‘any’ before the words ‘other disaster’ in the … Continue reading Regina v Bristol County Court Ex Parte Bradic: CA 1 Sep 1995
No specific form required for Local Authority reasons for finding intentional homelessness. Citations: Ind Summary 23-Oct-1995 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 64(4) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 20 December 2022; Ref: scu.85799
The sale of a council house imposed an additional duty on a local authority to disclose known structural defects to buyers. Citations: Times 24-Jun-1997, [1997] EWCA Civ 1752, (1998) 10 Admin LR 185, (1998) 30 HLR 295, (1998) 76 P and CR 293 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited … Continue reading Payne and Woodland v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Barnet: CA 22 May 1997
Citations: [1997] EWCA Civ 1766 Statutes: Housing Act 1985, Acquisition of Land Act 1981 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.142162
The appellant challenged a decision that the exercise of her right to buy had been withdrawn. She had insisted that the authority complete repairs before she bought the property. Held: A tenant who delayed exercise of the right-to-buy seeking to have the property repaired might lose that right. ‘Relevant outstanding matters’ referred to matters within … Continue reading Ryan v London Borough of Islington: CA 19 Jun 2009
Citations: [1999] EWCA Civ 1271 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 189 190 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 09 December 2022; Ref: scu.146186
‘dispute between the freehold owners and estate managers of a site at Point Curlew, St Merryn, Padstow, Cornwall, the defendants, and a number of the owners of holiday chalets at that site. The dispute relates to the service charges which the defendants seek to claim under the terms of the various 999 year leases which … Continue reading Phillps and Others v Francis and Another: QBD 24 Mar 2010
Section 189 of the Housing Act, which compels a local authority to serve a repair notice wherever they are satisfied that a house is unfit within the meaning of section 604, unless the house is beyond repair, may result in the lawful service of notices in relation to defects which fall short of breaches of … Continue reading Newham London Borough v Patel: 1978
The court was asked whether the landlord could seek possession of a property granted under a five year flexible tenancy. There was no straightforward forfeiture clause. The landlord alleged rent arrears and anti-social behaviour. Held: Without a forfeiture clause in the lease, the lease could not be determined before its expiry. Judges: Tipples J Citations: … Continue reading Croydon London Borough Council v Kalonga: QBD 2 Jun 2020
Even an unlawful sub-tenancy can have protection under Part II of the 1954 Act. The court described as fallacious the submission that section 74(1) does not extend to or answer the question whether the document has ever been delivered, saying: ‘The section says that the document is to be deemed to have been duly executed … Continue reading D’Silva v Lister House Development Ltd: 1970
Challenge to compulsory purchase order – authority under which orders made. Citations: [2007] EWHC 2625 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Acquisition of Land Act 1981 23(1), Housing Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Land Updated: 05 December 2022; Ref: scu.261400
The court was asked as to the compatibility of the 2004 Regulations with the 1988 and 1985 Acts. Judges: Stanley Burnton J Citations: [2007] EWHC 2335 (Admin) Links: Bailii Statutes: Demoted Tenancies (Review of Decisions) (England) Regulations 2004, Housing Act 1985, Housing Act 1988 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 04 December 2022; Ref: scu.259853
The landlord of a mixed commercial and private housing property, intending to carry out needed repairs, requested advance payment from the tenants to cover the costs. The tenants objected that a large part of the costs would be covered in due course by a third party under a constructor’s warranty. Held: The landlord’s appeal failed. … Continue reading Avon Ground Rents Ltd v Cowley and Others: CA 29 Oct 2019
The tenants held an introductory tenancy under the Act. The council sought possession, after giving notice, and after its review under the Act. The tenants objected, but the Council denied the right of the County Court to hear the objection, arguing that the court had no discretion but to order possession, that the right to … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Cochrane and Cochrane: CA 21 Dec 1998
The court was asked whether a local authority can lawfully bind itself by contract to subject the exercise of its statutory power to vary its tenancy agreements by notice to the approval of tenants’ representatives. Held: The local authority could not fetter its right in that way. The authority had a statutory power of management … Continue reading Kilby, Regina (on the Application of) v Basildon District Council: CA 22 May 2007
The Borough’s tenant had died. His wife and daughter had lived with him, but the mother not for long enough to succeed to his tenancy. The daughter (aged thirteen) claimed to have done so having lived with him for three years. Held: The 1985 Act did not limit its effects to adults. A minor may … Continue reading Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames v Prince and Another: CA 2 Dec 1998
The OFT had considered whether it was necessary to refer a merger between two companies to the Competition Commission, and decided against. The Competition Appeal Tribunal held that the proposed merger should have been referred. The OFT and parties appealed. Held: The Tribunal had misdirected itself as to one test. The statutory test required the … Continue reading Office of Fair Trading and others v IBA Health Limited: CA 19 Feb 2004
The tenant had served a notice to purchase the freehold of the premises at pounds 100.00, a formal nominal figure. The landlord claimed that the notice was invalid. Held: The process was one of compulsory purchase. ‘The tenant is required to specify the premium that he proposes to pay. He did not do so; he … Continue reading Cadogan Estates Limited v Morris: CA 4 Nov 1998
A ten year shorthold tenancy agreement which was not executed under deed constituted an equitable interest, and since more than five years remained, the tenant had sufficient interest to found a claim for a council grant for renovation and repairs. The concept of an equitable term of years is well known to the law. Citations: … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Tower Hamlets ex parte Von Goetz: CA 8 Oct 1998
The authority sought to apply the exception so as to deprive its tenant of security of possession. Held: In order to succeed in removing protection, the landlord authority had to establish each of the four statutory requirements. The scheme was intended to encourage private landlords, but in order to apply the scheme, there had to … Continue reading Hickey v London Borough of Haringey: CA 10 Apr 2006
The secure tenant was convicted of cultivating cannabis in the house. The council sought possession, and now appealed an order granting only possession suspended whilst the tenant complied with the terms of the tenancy agreement, seeking outright possession. Held: The council’s appeal succeeded. A possesion order was not to be made unless it was reasonable. … Continue reading Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council v Hensley: CA 1 Nov 2007
The defendant tenant had been delayed for over five years by the claimant in buying his council house. He stopped paying rent in protest, and the council brought possession proceedings. He then paid his rent and continued in his counterclaim to require the lease. The parties differed as to whether a parking right was included. … Continue reading London Borough of Southwark v Dennett: CA 7 Nov 2007
Citations: [2003] EWCA Civ 679 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Part XI Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 20 November 2022; Ref: scu.182331
The claimant let a house to the defendant under an assured shorthold tenancy. In breach of condition, the defendant operated her licensed conveyancer’s business from the premises. Under an associated arrangement land was let to the defendant for her horses. On a possession action, the defendant asserted that the letting was a business tenancy protected … Continue reading Brown v Myerson: CA 21 Jul 1998
Where an asylum seeker had housing which was sufficiently inadequate to render her homeless for the purposes of the section, she was not disallowed from receiving such assistance by the operation of the other section regarding asylum seekers Citations: Times 27-Jul-1998, [1998] EWCA Civ 1111 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 175(1) 186(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales … Continue reading Lismane v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham: CA 29 Jun 1998
The plaintiff lived in Lincolnshire, but owned a house in Gwynnedd. She sought to serve a notice in her local County Court, appealing from an order for its demolition, but the manager of that Court refused to accept it saying that it should have been filed in Gwynnedd. The regulations said it was to be … Continue reading Gwynedd County Council v Grunshaw: CA 22 Jul 1999
Ability of right to buy owners to challenge the reasonableness of covenants to pay service charges was challengeable before completions in county court, but after completion only by application to the Secretary of State. Citations: Gazette 17-Jun-1998, Times 22-Jun-1998, [1998] EWCA Civ 881, [1998] 1 WLR 1591, (1999) 31 HLR 331, [1998] 3 All ER … Continue reading Sheffield City Council v Jackson and others: CA 17 Jun 1998
