Housing benefit reform put on ice

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

Charity wins fight to take government to court over benefit reforms

The government will be forced to fight for its controversial housing benefit reforms in court, after a child poverty charity won the right to challenge their legality.

Government lodges appeal against solar cut ruling

The government has lodged an appeal against last month’s High Court ruling that an early cut to solar subsidies was illegal.

Voice a healthy interest

The health service is being overhauled so social landlords must establish their role in the new system, says Simon Brandon. Health and well-being boards present the ideal opportunity for providers to have their say

Thinking again

Casting the net for a home

A website aimed solely at local housing allowance claimants is helping people find homes. Lydia Stockdale logs on

The legal aid lifeline

Cuts to legal aid and new spending restrictions mean tens of thousands of tenants will no longer be eligible for free housing advice. Jess McCabe visits a law centre to investigate the likely impact of the changes

Cheated out of their savings

Abusive financial practices targeting the elderly are on the rise, but so are measures to protect vulnerable housing association residents. Alex Turner reports

Bank on a big change

Housing revenue account reform means for the first time councils can decide how much to borrow, but they must be on the ball if they are to get the best deal, says Rachel Terry

Fielding opposition

Proposed legislation on registration of village greens would reduce risk to developers. Eollyn Ives, solicitor in the property team at Devonshires Solicitors, explains