Housing

Deposit Protection Schemes and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Sandra

After the launch of legislation in 2007, landlords have become used to protecting their tenants’ deposits as a matter of course. Landlords have the choice of three main schemes based on custodial and insurance models. The former requires the landlord to physically pay the deposit sum into a third party bank account; the latter requires insurance to be obtained for the amount of the deposit.

Whichever option is taken, the deposit protection scheme has brought added peace of mind to tenants that their deposit is in safe hands throughout the tenancy. For landlords, it has gone some way to reducing the negative stereotype, and ultimately made the process far clearer for all involved. Continue reading →

Homeless Families Living in Bed & Breakfasts Up by Half

Sandra

The number of homeless families being housed in bed and breakfast accommodation has risen by nearly 50 per cent in the last year.

Research by the National Housing Federation has revealed that between January and March 2012 there were 3,960 homeless families staying in bed and breakfasts compared to just 2,750 during the same period last year.

The rise in homeless families being housed in B&BS is largely attributed to the lack of available council, or housing association temporary or long term accommodation. Altogether around 26,000 homeless families live in bed and breakfasts as a temporary housing solution. Continue reading →