In this edition, we look at:

• The steps that The Law Commission is considering to reinvigorate and reform Commonhold in the light of the Government’s initiative to tackle unfair leasehold practices;
• A summary of changes introduced by UK Finance to its Disclosure Form to be used on all sales of New Build properties;
• An overview on how developments in the energy market might impinge on social housing providers; and
• An introduction to the proposals to ban letting agent fees charged to tenants and the capping of tenants' deposits.

I also recommend you read the final report on Rethinking Social Housing produced by The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

Given that 17% of the population in England live in what is described as ‘social housing’, CIH admirably set out their reasons why there needs to be a national debate around what is social housing, what does it do and who is it for?

In this context, it is really disappointing that the Government has failed to publish the long awaited and overdue Green Paper on Social Housing. The amount of time taken up in Parliament in discussing Brexit is understandable, but repeated changes to the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government hasn’t helped. Let’s hope this is corrected this autumn.

Disruption and innovation are buzzwords in the energy world. The traditional model of the energy market is breaking down. For social housing providers this creates opportunities as well as challenges in providing the best proposition for customers and investors. We briefly outline here just some of the current key developments.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) was merged into UK Finance, the membership organisation that now represents all the leading high street lenders, last year. One of the most notable changes following the merger has been the launch of a new Disclosure Form. The Disclosure Form has to be provided by developers to the lender’s valuer on every transaction involving newly built and renovated residential dwelling.

The Law Commission has decided to undertake a review of commonhold properties with a view to reforming this maligned form of property ownership. A full consultation paper will be prepared this year with proposals for reform to follow. Many people will be asking “What is commonhold?”, indicating the need for such a review.

The private rented sector is growing. It currently represents 20% of all households in England and Wales, including up to 25% in London. The Government has expressed concern that tenants are being exploited, particularly in relation to unfair and excessive fees imposed on them by letting agents chosen by landlords. The Tenant’s Fees Bill aims to ban and curtail unfair and bad practices. As the Bill moves closer to becoming law, here are the key elements to be aware of.