Housing Law
The Legal Update 2012 Thursday, 21st June 2012, York Racecourse
In association with Jan Luba QC, Garden Court Chambers:
The Legal Update 2012 offers an opportunity for all social housing staff to review key housing law developments over the last 12 months. Those attending will consider, with expert contributors, how social housing providers can most effectively deal with the major changes in social housing management triggered by the reforms made by the Localism Act, and with the new approaches to anti- social behaviour (ASB) being introduced by the Government. This essential annual update conference will again be run in conjunction with Jan Luba QC, a leading barrister in the housing field, and will review all the very latest developments. Delegates will not only be offered presentations on the “headline� issues but will also have the opportunity to tackle the tricky questions of real concern in practical workshops - examining the key issues in depth, with specialist presenters. The conference is targeted at those with a working knowledge of at least the basic aspects of relevant housing law. By attending the conference, delegates will: Hear how to deal effectively with changes triggered by social housing reforms. Keep up to date with developments on rent arrears and possession proceedings. Hear about new developments in ASB. Keep up to date with developments in homelessness and in lettings policy. Hear about developments in management of social housing tenancies.
Who should attend? Although most people working in the housing field would benefit from attending this event, it is, by its very nature, designed as a technical update rather than a basic introduction. Therefore, delegates need to have a working knowledge of basic housing legislation, guidance and case law.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Delegates will be able to record 4 Continuing Professional Development hours for attending this conference.
Programme 9.15
Registration and refreshments
9.45
Chair’s introduction and welcome Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
9.50
Regulating the social housing sector Neil Talbot, Head of Regulatory Framework, Homes and Communities Agency Neil will give an overview of the changes taking place in the regulation of the social housing sector and the key legal implications.
10.30
The past 12 months in housing law: key legal developments Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Jan will give his unique overview of housing law developments in Parliament, Government and the Courts.
11.15
Professional practice sessions A. ASB – an essential update Gill Marshall, Solicitor, Section Head, Regulatory and Enforcement, Leeds City Council This session will look at what's new in the world of tackling ASB including: the latest on the ASB changes proposed by the Government an update on recent case law a look at ‘community harm’ and ‘community impact’ evidence and how best to use it best practice and practical tips in enforcing ASB injunctions through committal
B. Rent arrears and possession proceedings Geraldine Haden, Solicitor, Partner, Shakespeares, LLP Possession proceedings are still one of the major interactions between registered providers and the courts. In the current economic climate there are increasing numbers of tenants falling into arrears and this situation may be much worse once the impact of the Welfare Reforms has been felt. It is
therefore more important than ever for social landlords to manage their incomes and the legal processes effectively. In this session, Geraldine will look at: the legal process from start to finish so that landlords can avoid the pitfalls and traps that lie ahead for unwary what landlords can do to minimise the impact of rent arrears recent developments in case-law and legal practice in possession proceedings
C. Managing social housing tenancies Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers This practice session is targeted at those working in social housing who deal with tenants and their tenancies (both council and housing association tenancies). Jan will lead a review of each key aspect of social housing management work that has been subject to a legal or policy development in the past year. This can be expected to include: action on subletting and other housing fraud, tackling under-occupation, using flexible tenancies, death and succession, joint tenancies, and much else besides! (The session will not cover Rent Arrears, ASB or Possession Proceedings which are the subject of other practice sessions). This session will provide a summary of all the latest case-law and legislation but also, and more importantly, facilitate a sharing of best practice.
D. Homelessness law and policy update: the new world of private rented sector offers Liz Davies, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers This session will cover: private rented sector offers to homeless applicants special provisions for re-application within 2 years other legislative changes on homelessness comprehensive update on developments in homelessness case-law
E. Effective leasehold management Charlotte McMurchie, Solicitor, Partner, Dickinson Dees LLP Looking at service charge recovery and the necessity to comply with statutory requirements, as well as making sure that a lease allows you the flexibility to achieve what you need to, this session will highlight the need to have active asset management plans in place as well as the maintenance of reserves or sinking funds and the use of those funds. The session will cover: the language of the lease o the definitions o the importance of those definitions to the management of a scheme o the covenants and relevance to s.20 consultations and service charge recovery enforcement of breaches o service charge recovery o other breaches
12.45
Lunch and networking
13.45
Professional practice sessions (repeat of A, B, C) plus F. Allocation of social housing update Liz Davies, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers This session will cover: how local should my allocation scheme be new code of guidance qualifying and non-qualifying persons partnerships with private registered providers/registered social landlords
15.15 15.30
Refreshments A preview of the year ahead Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Jan will give an overview of the issues on the horizon and advise on what preparations for the year ahead will need to be made now.
15.45
Question and answer session with the expert panel
16.15
Close of conference
Housing Law The legal update 2012 Thursday, 21st June 2012, York Racecourse
Delegate fees
Early booking discount: book before 10th May 2012
Northern Housing Consortium Member
£229
£199
Non Member
£279
£249 All delegate fees are shown excluding VAT.
How to book Online To book your delegate place at this event and to view our full terms & conditions and cancellation policy, please click below.
Book Online Telephone To make a provisional booking please telephone our events team;
0191 566 1000 Please note any telephone reservations are made on a provisional basis and must be confirmed in writing within 2 working days.
Contact us For further information or if you have a query please contact a member of the events team: Telephone: 0191 566 1000 Email: events@northern-consortium.org.uk
Download a copy of the programme here