There are many similarities between Registered Providers
(formerly Registered Social Landlords) and public authorities. In
June 2009, the Court of Appeal, in the case of Weaver v London
& Quadrant Housing Trust decided that Registered Providers
were 'public bodies'. This case is going to the Supreme Court but
until or unless the judgment given by the Court of Appeal is
overturned, this means that both local authorities and Registered
Providers are subject to the Human Rights Act and the Freedom of
Information Act.
Moreover, from April 2010, both local authorities and Registered
Providers will be regulated by the Tenants Services Authority
(TSA).
In addition to all this, both Registered Providers and local
authorities provide affordable housing. Very recently, we have seen
the first signs of a revival in the provision of affordable housing
by local authorities and we seem to be on the cusp of a return to
large-scale building of affordable homes, by local authorities,
alongside Registered Providers.
At Blake Lapthorn, we have a wealth of experience of social
housing and a team of people who understand the public sector. We
can provide legal advice across a wide range of disciplines
including housing management, development, planning, employment,
governance, social care, the environment and finance.
our clients
Some of the clients we have provided social
housing services to include:
- Affinity Sutton
- Hyde
- Saxon Weald
- Southdown Housing
- Tendring District Council
- Sutton
- Westlea.