Local Government GB

Local authorities had the principal responsibility for housing policy for over a century. They were directly involved in providing housing, social housing until the mid-1980s. They provided houses and flats directly by constructing them and renting them at reduced rates.

The 1980s conservative government instituted a policy of selling council houses to tenants at reduced, discounted prices. The council’s ability to build new houses was reduced, and a greater role was given to the voluntary and private sector.

About two million houses remain in local authority ownership, and another two million are managed by housing associations.

Housing policy emerged as a public health measure to a certain extent at the end of the 19th century. The elimination of overcrowding and insanitary conditions, poor sewage and hygiene was part of the fight against diseases undertaken by the public health authority. Much public housing was constructed between the wars. The Housing Act 1919 increased powers for slum clearance. Large council estates were built in urban areas.

Following the damage and destruction of World War II, extensive public housing programs were undertaken. To some extent, the wartime bombing created the need for redevelopment in many cities. Many families had been displaced, and prefab housing, of short duration, was the norm.

The New Towns Act 1946 designated and renewed towns. Development Corporations acquired the land for construction and development within the areas, developing housing and amenities.

Extensive slum clearance accelerated in the 1950s under the Housing Act 1957, using compulsory purchase orders to obtain land quickly for construction. Large high-rise tower blocks were constructed. Further, a number of new tenants were established. In effect, it allowed the construction of roads, estates, and infrastructure from scratch. Attempts were made to make the town self-sufficient, including retail, leisure, and supporting facilities and places of employment. However, many such towns became satellites of more established towns. 21 new towns were established between 1947 and 1970, with six in Scotland and two each in Northern Ireland and Wales. Craigavon, Derry?

House tenancies have significant security of tenure relative to private sector tenancies, particularly since the rise of assured short hold tenancies in the 1990s. Rent is typically set below market averages. There is generally a right to purchase the home at a discount.

Housing authorities maintain Housing Register/waiting lists. Persons who are eligible may apply. Certain categories of persons are prioritized. The Homelessness Act 2002 introduced a point system to deal with priority. It provided for preference to be given to persons in certain categories.

An initial probationary period for a year is standard. Ultimately, tenancies may, in effect, be continued for life.

In 2010, secure tenancies, where new social housing tenants were replaced by fixed-term tenancies.

The coalition government introduced affordable rent by which registered housing providers could charge up to 80% of the market rent to low-income tenants. There has been a change in emphasis from social to affordable housing. The affordable housing guarantee launched in 2013 provides government guarantees of money borrowed by housing associations and other providers.

The 1990s saw increases in housing authority powers to evict those guilty of antisocial behavior or failure to comply with the housing tenancy. Persons may be disqualified from qualification for social housing where they have left arrears or breached previous housing contracts.

Local authorities are responsible for monitoring housing standards generally. Under public health and later environmental health legislation, councils may inspect dwellings with a view to eliminating unsanitary conditions. They may take over houses that are deemed unfit for human habitation. They will have regard to their state of repair, including lighting, ventilation, water supply, drainage, and sanitation. Councils have powers to inspect buildings and deal with large issues such as pollution, noise pollution, dust, flames, fumes, rubbish, etc.

The Housing Act 1985 provides statutory power to serve repair notices. Councils may themselves do the relevant works, if they are not done pursuant to the notice, and charge the cost to the owner.

Councils may serve closure notices or demolition notices ordering disuse or demolition of property.

Councils may take action against a whole area requiring redevelopment, clearance, and redevelopment. They must first rehouse existing tenants.

The Housing Grants, Construction, and Regeneration Act enable local authorities to pay relocation grants to persons dislocated by such schemes.

The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 gives the power to declare renewal areas within districts for up to 10 years. This must generally include an area of at least 300 houses, qualifying with social funds renewal areas, have been designated as such. Councils may acquire land by compulsory acquisition or agreement, provide new social housing, improve the existing housing, close up properties.

The Housing Act 1996 provides for means-tested grants to allow owners to undertake essential repair and improvement works within the last decade. Grants are available for environmentally friendly improvements, including, in particular, those assisting improving energy efficiency and reduction of the carbon footprint.

The Housing Act 1980 provides for a Right to Buy in England and Wales. Discounts were offered relative to the purchase price. Tenants who had occupied houses for at least three years qualified for grants of a third for houses and 44% for flats. Those who had rented for more than 20 years qualified for 50% discounts.

The Housing Act 1985 increased discounts allowing for up to 60% depending on the length of occupancy. And up to 70% in the case of flats.

Nearly half of all Council houses were sold under the Act, and #[08:54] affordable of over 2 million houses. The Council and social houses were sold under the Act, in the period to 1995 with over many years with little or no remaining local authorities. Local authorities were limited in the extent to which they could use the proceeds of sale for new houses. Most proceeds were required to be used for other purposes, including, in particular, the reduction of debt levels.

The Labour Government 1997 to 2010 took some steps towards restoring Council’s ability to construct housing.

The Right to Buy involved a clawback, if the property was sold within a limited period, generally three years. Councils were empowered to administer Right to Buy mortgages. Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 included schemes with an initial, a capital repayment obligation element, and a deferred element on which no interest might be payable but could be repaid on sale voluntarily or on death.

There are over almost 2000 housing agencies registered as housing providers and regulated by the Homes and Communities Agency (Northern Ireland), Housing Executive in Northern Ireland. Most are industrial and Provident societies and are run by volunteers, some health professionals. While others do not.

Councils may provide advance loans and guarantees to housing associations. Incentives were given to local authorities to transfer stock to housing associations, including, in particular, the ending of — the offloading of a fair responsibility.

By the mid-1990s, some 51 houses had transferred their entire stock to housing associations.

The 1993 legislation provided for tenant management organizations take over management of housing and finances replacing Councils.

The Housing Act 1996 provided for registered social landlords, including housing companies which may be partnered with tenant’s councils and other housing body.

Councils have a duty by law to house persons who are unintentionally homeless or threatened with homeless, 28 days under a Housing Homeless Persons Act 1977 and Homelessness Act 2002. And may be taken up accommodation elsewhere in Britain, pending availability of social housing, may be accommodated in bed-and-breakfast short stay hostels. Unintentional homeless includes persons evicted from private accommodation. They must be provided with assistance, advice, and accommodation. Recent reforms have reduced the duty, care. Each person is established in private accommodation for a year.

Councils administer housing benefit on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions. This is intended to cover all or part of the rent payable by low-income tenants in public, private, or voluntary housing association accommodation. Standard housing benefit applies to low-earning workers, and certified cases apply to those on welfare allowances.

These provisions have been replaced by simplified eligibility criteria based primarily on income and capital. Rates were offered for specific types of property based on medium market rents in the area and broad market rental areas.

The Welfare Reform Act provides for the absorption of housing benefit into universal credit limits four-bedroom — payments for a flat to £280 per week and £400 per week with a general benefit cap of £26,000 per household. It amends the local housing allowance formula. It reduces £40 per month social tenant’s benefits with additional bedrooms which are not used. £40 for one bedroom, £70 for two bedrooms. The policy has been criticized due to the shortage of property at or below the requisite rent levels.

Council tax benefit was abolished in 2013 other than for pensioners. Council tax deduction based and is administered in accordance with the criteria set by the local authority. Rent controls apply from World War I until 1988.