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 had obtained a possession order against the defendant tenants because of the behaviour of the tenants’ children as ‘conduct which is a nuisance or annoyance to neighbours’ The question on appeal was whether behaviour which related to properties more than 100 metres away from the house fell within the scope of the … Continue reading Northampton Borough Council v Lovatt and Another: CA 11 Nov 1997
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
An applicant was properly deemed to be intentionally homeless when he had lost his former house through his own fraudulent acts. Citations: Times 11-May-1993 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 60(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 26 October 2022; Ref: scu.88379
The council appealed against refusal of possession orders against their tenant. Judges: Mummery, Etherton, Patten LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ 1450 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 79(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 29 September 2022; Ref: scu.449756
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
The parties disputed the liability on lessees to contribute to a service charge for maintenance of common parts of the building. The six tenants covenanted to pay a proper proportion of the landlord’s costs of meeting his repair obligations. The landlord executed repair after a water leak. Two tenants argued that the cost was too … Continue reading 69 Marina, St Leonards-On-Sea, Freeholders of v Oram and Another: CA 8 Nov 2011
COMPENSATION – prohibition order – Housing Health and Safety Rating System Regulations – category 1 hazard – flat – crowding and space – section s584A Housing Act 1985 – S.5 Land Compensation Act 1961 – Rule 4 – whether use of flat (a) contrary to law (b) detrimental to health of the occupants – nil … Continue reading Haq v Eastbourne Borough Council: UTLC 10 Oct 2011
The appellant landlords appealed against the award of damages to their former tenants under the 1985 and 1972 Acts. The judge had proceeded to hear the case in their absence. Held: The court considered whether the appellants should instead have applied to have the judgments set aside. Judges: Moore-Bick, Gross LJJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Civ … Continue reading Williams and Another v Hinton and Another: CA 14 Oct 2011
In each case the tenant occupied the property as his home, but was not a secure tenant of the local authority. The Court was asked whether, in granting a possession order in such a case, the court was obliged to consider the proportionality of the order requested. Powell had been given emergency accomodation as a … Continue reading London Borough of Hounslow v Powell, Leeds City Council v Hall etc: SC 23 Feb 2011
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
The council tenant had wished to appeal following a possession order made after her tenancy had been demoted. The court handed down a supplemental judgment to give effect to its earlier decision. The Court had been asked ‘whether article 8 of the . . Convention . . requires a court, which is being asked to … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Pinnock: SC 9 Feb 2011
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
A claim was made for a statutory succession to an assured tenancy. The judge had found that the appellant was occupying the flat at the time of the death of her father (the tenant) as her only home, but that she had not ‘resided with’ him throughout the previous year. This was so despite the … Continue reading Freeman v London Borough of Islington: CA 11 Jun 2009
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
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
Appeal by local authority against refusal of order for possession of property subject to a secure tenancy. Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 639 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 30 June 2022; Ref: scu.226150
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
An applicant’s immigration status was proper factor in assessing housing need. A Local Authority may look to whether an EC national has right of residence before assessing its own duty to house the applicant. Citations: Gazette 01-Nov-1995, Times 20-Oct-1995, Independent 11-Oct-1995 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 65 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appealed to – Regina … Continue reading Regina v Westminster City Council Ex Parte Castelli; Regina v Same Ex Parte Tristan-Garcia: QBD 11 Oct 1995
Local Authority not obliged to place all applicants on housing waiting list – old rent arrears. Citations: Times 11-Jun-1996 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 22 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 11 June 2022; Ref: scu.88339
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
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
Failure to execute works is a continuing breach as long as undone and after the notice period. Citations: Times 11-Jul-1996 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 376(1) Housing Updated: 19 May 2022; Ref: scu.78853
Where a housing authority had considered and dealt with the rehousing of a substantial family, a renewed application by an adult daughter could be refused. The refusal to accept accommodation by the mother was effective as an offer for the entire household, which included in this instance the applicant. The offer and effect of its … Continue reading Regina v Camden London Borough Council, Ex Parte Hersi: CA 11 Oct 2000
Sets limits to the degree of family connection required to establish a connection. Citations: Times 11-Jun-1996 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 61(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 28 April 2022; Ref: scu.86801
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 local connection test for rehousing may be applied as at the date of the application for housing: ‘In my judgment a local authority may properly ask itself whether the applicant had a local connection . . at the date of the application under Part III of the Housing Act, 1985 so long as it … Continue reading Regina v Newham London Borough Council Ex Parte Smith: QBD 11 Apr 1996
Rent arrears are a proper consideration for a Local Authority in allocating a housing tenancy. Citations: Times 11-Apr-1996 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 22 Housing Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87102
A local authority’s duty to house a homeless family could be satisfied by provision of housing outside the Borough. A local authority which had not considered this could not therefore be said to have done all in its power for such a family. The duty was to find housing immediately, even though the result may … Continue reading Regina v Newham London Borough Counci, ex parte Begum and Another: QBD 11 Oct 1999
The respondent had arrived and claimed asylum. Three claims were rejected, two of which were fraudulent. She had two children by a UK citizen, and if deported the result would be (the father being unsuitable) that the children would have to return with her. Held: The mother’s appeal succeeded. The court had to consider the … Continue reading ZH (Tanzania) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 1 Feb 2011
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
The defendant tenant had disputed payment of water service charges and stopped paying them. The Council obtained a possession order which was suspended on payment or arrears by the defendant at andpound;5.00. The tenant said that when varying the terms of the tenancy to add collection of water rates, the council had failed to comply … Continue reading Rochdale Borough Council v Dixon: CA 20 Oct 2011
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
The parties had a joint venture agreement which provided that any dispute was to be referred to an arbitrator from the Ismaili community. The claimant said that this method of appointment became void as a discriminatory provision under the 2003 Regulations. The High Court found the appointment to be outwith the provisions, but this was … Continue reading Jivraj v Hashwani: SC 27 Jul 2011
The land-owner had planning permission to erect a barn, conditional on its use for agricultural purposes. He built inside it a house and lived there from 2002. In 2006. He then applied for a certificate of lawful use. The inspector allowed it, and the Council appealed. The Council now also argued that parliament could not … Continue reading Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Another v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council: SC 6 Apr 2011
The claimant sought judicial review of a statement and letter by the respondent making a material consideration for planning authorities the intended revocation by the Respondent of Regional Spatial Strategies. The effect would be to allow the authority to reduce the number of new houses it was planning to allow for and thus to reject … Continue reading Cala Homes (South) Ltd v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Another: Admn 7 Feb 2011
Car Cleaning nil-hours Contractors were Workers The company contracted with the claimants to work cleaning cars. The company appealed against a finding that contrary to the explicit provisions of the contracts, they were workers within the Regulations and entitled to holiday pay and associated benefits. The contracts were ‘nil hours’ contracts neither requiring nor entitling … Continue reading Autoclenz Ltd v Belcher and Others: SC 27 Jul 2011
The council had resolved to grant planning permission for a development, but before the permission was actually granted the Secretary of State had written to planning authorities saying that he intended to abolish the ‘Regional Spatial Strategies’. The objector said that the Council should reconsider in the light of this ‘highly relevant’ change. Held: The … Continue reading Hinds, Regina (on The Application of) v Blackpool Council: Admn 17 Mar 2011
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
The claimant asserted as against the liquidator, a floating and registered charge over the company’s assets. The liquidator said that it had been granted within the twelve months prior to the onset of the insolvency, was caught by section 245(3)(b), and requested rectification of the register. The claimants relied on an opinion from senior counsel. … Continue reading Rehman v Chamberlain and Another: ChD 6 Sep 2011
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 court was asked ‘whether and if so how an easement arising informally and not protected by any entry at the Land Registry can be effective against a purchaser of the land over which the easement would be exercised.’ The parties respectively owned the ground and first and second floors of a bulding. Access to … Continue reading Chaudhary v Yavuz: CA 22 Nov 2011
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 . .
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. . .
The Council appealed from an order quashing its decision that the applicant was intentionally homeless. . .
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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
The tenant was a successor tenant with security, and sought to exercise his right to buy. The authority itself claimed possession saying that the property was too large. Held: The statute gave rise to competing claims.The tenant’s right to buy did not take automatic precedence over the authority’s right to possession. In this case the … Continue reading Basildon District Council v Wahlen: CA 28 Mar 2006
The Council appealed against declarations given that the respondent tenants (wildlife rangers) were entitled to purchase the freehold of their homes under right-to-buy. The Council said that the tenancies were occupied in connection with their employments. Held: Richards LJ said: the provision is to be construed as laying down two distinct conditions: first, that ‘his … Continue reading Wragg and others v Surrey County Council: CA 1 Feb 2008
The applicant sought to exercise her right to buy a property she had occupied of her local authority. It was in the green belt, and the authority declined to sell it until they had obtained authorisation for the sale. The authority appealed an order requiring the sale. Held: The 1985 Act made no reference to … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Environment Transport and the Regions ex parte O’Byrne: HL 14 Nov 2002
A tenant sought to buy a flat under the right to buy scheme but the flat was in the green belt. The land was held under provisions in the 1938 Act making the sale of any part conditional on the consent of the respondent. The local authority objected, and an inquiry was held. The inspector … Continue reading O’Byrne v Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and Regions and Another: CA 17 Apr 2001
A tenant sought to buy a flat under the right to buy scheme but the flat was in the green belt. The local authority objected, and an inquiry was held. The inspector held that the green belt policy itself would not be affected, but a sale would impinge on the management of the park where … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Ex Parte O’Byrne: QBD 8 Jun 2000
The authority sought rescission of a lease granted to the defendant under the right to buy scheme, saying that she had misrepresented her occupation when applying. The tenant replied that no adequate evidence had been brought that she was not a secure tenant. The authority had set out several statements as to her occupation by … Continue reading London Borough of Haringey v Hines: CA 20 Oct 2010
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 . .
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
‘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 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
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
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 claimant had succeeded in his claim for damages against the council following their failure to comply with their obligations of repair under the 1985 Act. The council appealed an award of pounds 1,500 for chattels damaged by the damp. Held: ‘I, for my part, would think it perfectly absurd in a case like this … Continue reading Stanbury v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Lambeth: CA 5 Dec 1997
Tenants complained that the authority landlord had purported to vary a clause in his secure tenancy agreement which gave certain management rights to tenants. Held: The powers to let on secure tenancies were governed by statute. The clause which was removed was an unlawful fetter on the authorty’s powers and duties. As such the court … Continue reading Kilby v Basildon District Council: Admn 26 Jul 2006
In the context of an application to condemn a property as unfit for human habitation, the court was asked to consider ‘whether the County Court judge should adopt what he called ‘a commonsense, lay, factual approach’ in cases of this sort, or whether such cases depend upon technical issues which the judge decides in accordance … Continue reading Dover District Council v Sherred and Another: CA 5 Feb 1997
Misbehaviour of a tenant in the immediate neighbourhood of tenanted property could be a nuisance in respect to that tenancy. Citations: Times 03-Jan-1997, Gazette 11-Mar-1998, [1997] EWCA Civ 821 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Sch 2 Ground 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing, Landlord and Tenant Updated: 04 November 2022; Ref: scu.84352
Citations: [2003] EWCA Civ 20 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 S2G5 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 31 October 2022; Ref: scu.181111
A Local Authority has a duty to house European Union migrants even without leave to stay as long as they are looking for work. EU nationals who were properly entering the UK were owed the Housing Act duties until they were told that they were overstaying. Citations: Independent 23-Feb-1996, Gazette 20-Mar-1996, Times 27-Feb-1996, (1996) 28 … Continue reading Regina v Westminster City Council Ex Parte Castelli; Regina v Same Ex Parte Tristan Garcia: CA 23 Feb 1996
The applicant had set out to purchase a property, paying by instalments over several years. Part way through he secured a transfer of the property, and gave a charge to the lender. Later he defaulted on payments to the lender. In the meantime, a compulsory purchase order was made, and the question arose as to … Continue reading Farrell v First National Bank Plc: CA 26 Jun 2001
The claimants were shareholders in Westrip, accusing the Defendant directors of deliberately engaging in a course of conduct which has led to Westrip losing ownership and control of a very valuable mining licence and which, but for their intervention, would have led to Westrip losing all or almost all of its remaining assets. They say … Continue reading Iesini and Others v Westrip Holdings Ltd and Others: ChD 16 Oct 2009
(County Court) The defendant landlord granted the plaintiff a three year assured shorthold tenancy. He now appealed a finding that he was in breach of an implied covenant to maintain the space heating, and otherwise. The tenant had returned the keys. The court was asked whether the landlord by his breach had committed a repudiatory … Continue reading Hussain v Mehlman: CC 5 Mar 1992
The authority sought to evict their tenant on the ground that he was behaving in a way which was a nuisance to neighbours. The tenant was disabled, and claimed discrimination. Held: In secure tenancies, the authority had to consider the reasonableness of making a possession order, and in situations where it was enforcing a possession … Continue reading Council of the City of Manchester v Romano, Samariz: CA 1 Jul 2004
The parties, on divorcing had a greed, under court order that W should obtain the release of H from his covenants under the mortgage of the family home. She had been unable to do so, and sought that order to be varied to allow postponement of her performance until the youngest child attained 18. H … Continue reading Birch v Birch: SC 26 Jul 2017
The claimants were residents of care homes. The homes were owned by charitable companies providing housing and support for persons with mental disorders. The company’s had altered the agreements so that the claimants became assured tenants. The claimants appealed the refusal of the respondents to de-register the homes. Held: The appeals were dismissed. The crucial … Continue reading Moore and others v Care Standards Tribunal and Another: CA 24 May 2005
The claimant had been a foster son and was now the administrator of the estate of the deceased tenant. He sought to occupy the property as a successor under the 1985 Act. He said that as a former foster child, he had become a member of the deceased’s family and the 1985 should be read … Continue reading Sheffield City Council v Wall (Personal Representatives of) and Others: CA 30 Jul 2010
W owned land which had been used for many years to store showground equipment over the winters. He applied for an existing use certificate. After refusing it, the authority issued enforcement proceedings. The inspector refused W’s appeal saying that there had been an abandonment in fact. The land-owner now argued that a use could not … Continue reading White v Secretary of State for the Environment: CA 1989
The Court was asked whether an employee’s remuneration is taxable as his or her emoluments or earnings when it is paid to a third party in circumstances in which the employee had no prior entitlement to receive it himself or herself. Held: The company’s appeal failed. The purposive approach to the interpretation of the general … Continue reading RFC 2012 Plc (Formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc) v Advocate General for Scotland: SC 5 Jul 2017
The court considered the status of decisions to commence proceedings for possession by local authorities against tenants not protected under any statutory scheme. The tenants, on introductory tenancies and under the homelessness regime, argued that such decisions, being decisions affecting their Article 8 rights must be subject to challenge.The court considered the situation at Human … Continue reading Salford City Council v Mullen: CA 30 Mar 2010
The tenant occupied a maisonette under a secure tenancy of the plaintiff. She sought damages for breach of the repairing covenant implied under s11. Questions arose as to whether L should have told her not to dry clothes in a heated cupboard so as to cause damp, if she had whether the resulting damp was … Continue reading Southwark London Borough Council v McIntosh: ChD 2002
A headmaster’s occupation of a house in the school was not ‘for the better performance of his duties’, and so was not a tied house, and so he had the right to buy it. A term could not be implied into his contract to require him to occupy the house. Citations: Ind Summary 06-Dec-1993, Gazette … Continue reading Hughes and Another v Greenwich London Borough Council: HL 26 Oct 1993
The authority complained that during the course of the trial, the judge had repeatedly intervened during oral evidence. Held: A judge must be careful not to repeatedly intervene during oral evidence as opposed to counsel making submissions. The risk was not whether a reasonable observer would see bias, but that the judge would have descended … Continue reading London Borough of Southwark v Kofi-Adu: CA 23 Mar 2006
The claimant taxi driver sought to assert race discrimination. The respondent argued that he had not been an employee, but an independent contractor. The Claimant owned his own vehicle and paid the respondents minicab operators pounds 75 per week for a radio and access to their company system, which allocated calls from customers to a … Continue reading Mingeley v Pennock and Another (T/A Amber Cars): CA 9 Feb 2004
The council argued that the defendant was not a tenant granted to him as a secure tenancy since he had not been granted the tenancy in accordance with its policies. An employee had manipulated the Council’s system to grant tenancies to bypass the controls. There was no evidence of this having been done for payment. … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Qasim and Others: CA 20 Oct 2009
The claimant sought to set aside an order requiring him to give up possession of a caravan pitch held under the 1968 Act. Held: The decision to serve a notice to quit which was reasonable on the facts known to the local authority at the time could not be invalidated retrospectively by reference to facts … Continue reading Doran v Liverpool City Council: CA 3 Mar 2009
The tenancy was granted as a protected tenancy under the 1977 Act. Before the grant L mentioned, but not in writing, that she might need the flat in the future for a member of her family. She now sought possession for a tenancy for her son. At first instance, the court found in her favour … Continue reading Fernandes v Pavardin: CA 1982
Challenge to rules requiring certain minimum levels of income (Minimum Income Requirement – MIR) for allowing entry for non-EEA spouse. Held: The challenges udder the Human Rights Act to the Rules themselves failed. Nor did any separate issue of discrimination arise under article 14. However, the appendix with instructions for entry clearance officers considering the … Continue reading MM (Lebanon) and Others, Regina (on The Applications of) v Secretary of State and Another: SC 22 Feb 2017
Proposed changes to the Legal Aid regulations were challenged as being invalid, for being discriminatory. If regulations are not authorised under statute, they will be invalid, even if they have been approved by resolutions of both Houses under the provisions of the relevant enabling Act. Held: The appeal succeeded as to the ultra vires issue.Lord … Continue reading The Public Law Project, Regina (on The Application of) v Lord Chancellor: SC 13 Jul 2016
Judges: Dyson LJ, Jacon LJ, Sir Anthony Clarke MR Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 1126 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1985 87 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 12 July 2022; Ref: scu.260275
The court considered whether the determination of a secure tenancy by the granting of a possession order, brings to an end an existing application which has established the right to buy at a particular time and at a particular price, or whether such an application is capable of being revived once the tenancy itself has … Continue reading Islington London Borough Council v Honeygan-Green (Honeygan): QBD 25 May 2007
The authority had obtained a possession order from its secure tenant but then agreed to accept payments toward the arrears. The tenant applied for and was granted a declaration that she had on that agreement acquired a new tenancy. The authority appealed. Held: The agreement had created a new tenancy even after a final possession … Continue reading Burrows v Brent London Borough Council: HL 31 Oct 1996
Civil servants had been transferred to a private company. At first they worked under secondment from the civil service. They asserted that they had protection under TUPE and the Acquired Rights Directive. The respondent said that there had only been a transfer over time, so as to diminish their periods of continuous employment. The matter … Continue reading North Wales Training and Enterprise Council Ltd v Astley and others: HL 21 Jun 2006
The occupier had been granted a temporary licence by the authority under the homelessness provisions whilst it made its assessment. The assessment concluded that she had become homeless intentionally, and therefore terminated the licence and set out to evict her. She claimed that the authority had to get a court authority before so evicting her. … Continue reading Desnousse v London Borough of Newham and others: CA 17 May 2006
