Stephen Postlethwaite considers a recent county court case which highlighted the importance of ensuring the property a registered provider or local authority is purchasing has vacant possession.

Karen Smith, Emily Howe and Sumi Begum round up the latest housing law cases of interest to housing associations and local authorities.

Andrew Lane looks at the potential for criminal proceedings in relation to false application for the right to buy.

The Court of Appeal has recently considered whether a claimant was intentionally homeless after he refused hotel accommodation. Catherine Rowlands analyses the ruling.

The High Court recently upheld a possession order against a tenant who is a hoarder, rejecting a submission that the first instance judge's conclusion that the social landlord had acted proportionately was wrong. John Murray sets out the lessons from the case.

Astrid Stanley looks at how standardisation of the regulatory regime for houses in multiple occupation could encourage investment in the sector.

What are the legal constraints when it comes to rent increases? Victoria Knight and Marie Constantine explain.

The Administrative Court recently quashed a closure order under section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, holding that the refusal to grant an adjournment was unfair and irrational. Ramby de Mello and Susana Ferrin analyse the ruling.

Antonia Ford reports on securing an award of damages following a personal injury claim brought by a community nurse carrying out a visit to a vulnerable adult’s recently-fumigated home, in a case where the existence of a duty of care was in dispute.

For housing associations considering the possibility of exiting the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), now could be a good time to investigate further, writes Kim Jones.

Stefan Liberadzki and Peter Jolley of 42BR discuss how new laws will bring about an end to the fixed term assured shorthold tenancy and s.21 notices.

Gavinder Ryait, Sarah Christy and Ian Larkins round up the latest housing law judgments of interest to local authorities and housing associations.

Geoff Wild examines the purpose of the Armed Forces Covenant and offers suggestions as to how local authorities can put it into practice.

The Upper Tribunal has given judgment in an important case on appeals against improvement notices under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004, writes Richard Miller.

The Court of Appeal recently considered questions around natural justice and judge-assessor confidentiality under the Equality Act 2010. Catherine Rowlands and Nicholas Grundy KC analyse the judgment.

Residential schemes are increasing in size and complexity, and this presents challenges for registered providers of social housing ("RPs") when raising finance against newly built properties. Hannah Jackson explores the risks and provides recommendations for RPs preparing for charging exercises where developments have been recently completed or are still ongoing.

Ben Sheppard provides an update for commercial and industrial developers and heat users on heat network zoning in England, and takes a look at what’s next for heat network policy.

Conor Monighan considers the consequences of a significant High Court judgment that considered Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and closure orders.

What is the correct route to challenge a decision of the local authority that you consider amounts to disability discrimination? This was the question recently tackled by Fordham J in the High Court. Catherine Rowlands examines the outcome.

Jane Talbot and Emma Kelly take a look at the Crime and Policing Bill.