MPs to scrutinise housing benefit changes

Welfare reform calendar 2011 – 2013

The Welfare Reform Bill is about to receive royal assent and will radically alter the benefits system. Now the government has beaten the Lords, Carl Brown explains why it is important that landlords prepare for the changes

Going spare

Landlords braced for impact of benefit reform

Social landlords are preparing to commit significant amounts of extra cash and resources to ready themselves for the impact of the Welfare Reform Bill, which was expected to receive royal assent yesterday.

Fears for vulnerable amid claims of govt mistake

The government failed to count more than 200,000 vulnerable tenants when it drew up plans to hand councils a pot of money to pay for supported housing costs, charities have claimed.

MPs to scrutinise work on homes for elderly people

Progress made into improving housing for older people in the past three years is to be scrutinised by an all-party parliamentary group.

Going spare

The government’s contentious ‘bedroom tax’ on under-occupying tenants is set to become law this month. Alex Turner looks at the disproportionate effect it’s likely to have in the north

Cause for concern

A recent security breach highlights why social housing providers should consider how they handle data, say legal experts Alison Deighton and Amy Carswell

Acting with conviction

Squatting could soon be criminalised but awareness of current laws is crucial, says Sarah Lines, social housing lawyer at Cobbetts

Tips from the top

A mentoring scheme is helping talented housing professionals break through the glass ceiling. Lydia Stockdale finds out who is benefiting from this process

What’s in a name?

The housing strategy for England has finally arrived, but what does it mean for the sector?