Latest member question: leaseholders and HMOs

A member would be interested to hear from others with leaseholders letting out their property as a HMO. If you would be happy to share your approach, please contact [email protected] and we will put you … Read more

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Latest member question: Section 20 consultation

Do any members use their DLO for qualifying works and in particular, major works (such as cyclical decorations and follow up fire remediation works) and if so, do they carry out Section 20 consultation or … Read more

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Latest member question: safety certificates for leasehold properties

A member would be interested to know how you obtain LGSR and EICER documentation from leaseholders. They are looking at any good practice to improve their process on this. Can you help? Let us know … Read more

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Shared ownership ‘drastically failing to deliver route to homeownership’, say MPs

Shared ownership schemes are drastically failing to deliver an affordable route to homeownership for too many people, while subjecting buyers to rising rents, uncapped service charges, and a disproportionate exposure to repair and maintenance costs, MPs have said. In a new report, the Levelling Up, Housing and … Read more

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Latest member question: internal works to leasehold properties

A member needs to undertake some works to a block that includes leasehold tenures. Work is needed to install a damp proof course and therefore requires the internal wall plaster, skirting boards, sockets and floor … Read more

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Latest member question: service charges for external space management

A leasehold team is looking to introduce a service charge for external space management for the first time. They would be interested to hear what level of detail you provide to customers in the event … Read more

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Course of the week

Collecting with care 2024 – Mental health, housing income and rent arrears: 13 March – Live virtual training  The Money and Mental Health Policy Institute estimates that one in three social housing tenants with rent arrears, … Read more

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Course of the week

An introduction to HHSRS and housing standards: 28 March – Live virtual training  This virtual training is aimed at frontline workers who frequently go into residents’ properties. It raises awareness and knowledge of the property … Read more

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Course of the week

A new era for resident engagement – for housing staff: 22 February – Live virtual training  This course will take delegates through the new regulatory expectations, help you get where you need to be and … Read more

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Course of the week

Condensation, damp and mould for non-technical officers: 13 February – Live virtual training  Condensation, damp and mould if left untreated can have profound consequences on quality of life and health as well as the fabric … Read more

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Course of the week

Customer complaint handling workshop: 28 February – Live virtual training  The Housing Ombudsman says that 2 of every 3 complaints they see could have been handled better by the landlord. Getting complaint handling right saves … Read more

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HQN Training – new for 2024

New for 2024 all of our courses are now certificated with professional development hours. View all our upcoming public courses here.  Further details on professionalisation requirements and the competency and conduct standard for the social … Read more

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Housing Quality Magazine January 2024

Welcome to the January 2024 edition of HQM. We start the year with a look at the planned 2024/25 rent increase and its implications for both landlords and residents. We also ask some of the … Read more

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Latest member question: forfeiture process

A member is reviewing their forfeiture process and would be grateful of some inspiration. Unfortunately a leaseholder had to go into a care home several years ago and is not engaging. The local authority have … Read more

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HQN appoints Chloe Fletcher as new director

HQN is delighted to announce the appointment of Chloe Fletcher as a new director. A well-known and highly regarded figure in the social housing sector, Chloe joins from the National Federation of ALMOs, where she … Read more

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RSH confirms social housing rent levels for 2024/25

The Regulator of Social Housing today confirmed rent levels for 2024/25. Following much conjecture about the repeat of a rent cap, the government has decided to revert to its old rent setting formula for 2024/25 … Read more

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HQN’s housing regulation quiz 2023

Who doesn’t look forward to a housing regulation quiz at this time of year? And we have one for you that gradually gets harder to really test hardcore regulation fans! If you don’t get 100%, … Read more

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Latest member question: service charge systems

Can anyone advise me of any service charge systems/solutions that they currently use please, that sit outside their housing management systems? Thanks in advance.

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Gove confident leasehold reform bill will pass before general election

Housing secretary Michael Gove says he believes a bill aimed at reforming leasehold law will be passed before the next general election. According to the government, the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, introduced to parliament … Read more

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Leasehold reform plans could increase property prices, study

The government’s plans to abolish marriage value and allow leaseholders to extend their lease by 990 years could lead to an average price increase of 9.9% for short leasehold stock, a new study has revealed. … Read more

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Ground rent reforms will save leaseholders £thousands, says government

The government has unveiled new proposals to slash ground rents, which it says will save homeowners thousands of pounds. Housing secretary Michael Gove has launched a consultation that will set out options including capping ground rents at … Read more

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Government appoints chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service

The housing minister and secretary of state have appointed a chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), a government-funded body which provides free information and advice to leaseholders Martin Boyd is currently chair of the … Read more

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Government pledge could help reduce leaseholder insurance premiums

The government has agreed a pledge with five insurance brokers which it says could mean thousands of leaseholders in buildings with identified fire safety issues seeing a significant reduction in their insurance premiums. According to the … Read more

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Housing Quality Magazine October 2023

The autumn edition of HQM features a big interview with Richard Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman, in which he shares his insights into the service’s progress and his views on everything from leasehold to mergers. Lara … Read more

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New shared ownership rent reforms come into force

The government has this week introduced a series of reforms to shared ownership rents which apply to the leases of new shared owners who purchase homes delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme and through the … Read more

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Independent Chair of the Resident Board

We are looking for a new Chair for our Tenant and Leaseholder Advisory Board, the key body for providing tenant oversight of the work of Slough Borough Council’s housing service. At the moment, the housing … Read more

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Latest member question: Right to Buy

Where the purchaser has use of facilities or communal space that are funded by the HRA ( or equivalent account in the Housing Association sector,) can the former landlord charge for these services, even if … Read more

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Latest member question: GDPR and Right to Acquire

A member would be interested to know, under GDPR, what retention periods do you set for former and current tenancy data? In particular for the purpose of confirming Right to Acquire eligibility discounts for both … Read more

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Landlord’s promotion found to be in breach of ASA’s marketing code

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has found that L&Q was in breach of its marketing code when it advertised its shared ownership product as a Black Friday promotion. Two issues were investigated, both of which … Read more

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Sales Progression Executive

We’re a local housing association that’s passionate about tackling the housing shortage in the East of England. We provide warm, safe and affordable homes. But we don’t stop there. We offer a wide range of … Read more

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