Pursuit of happiness

Social housing could be saved from extra FIT cut

The government is consulting on plans to protect social housing solar photovoltaic panel schemes from an especially heavy cut to solar subsidies as part of an overhaul of the feed-in tariff system.

A dose of market forces?

Fit for the future

Housing providers are pushing boundaries to address the challenges facing the sector, but they must tread carefully

Consortium launches tenants' discount site

More than 80 housing providers across the north of England have signed up to support a new scheme offering social housing residents discounts on household goods.

Housing bodies join forces to scrutinise

The Tenant Participation Advisory Service, HouseMark and the Chartered Institute of Housing are set to launch a new scrutiny scheme in the New Year.

The get out of jail free card

Associations that enter into leases with councils must beware as authorities have a get-out clause, says Jacqueline Knox, director at Wragge & Co

Cold cottage rescue

Isolation from mains gas can spell financial hardship. Alex Turner investigates how Cornish landlords are exploring renewable energy solutions to rural fuel poverty

Battening down the hatches

Inside Housing’s exclusive salary survey shows it’s been a difficult 12 months for most housing employees. Simon Brandon reports on the regime of pay freezes and increased workloads introduced by organisations as they battle the economic gloom

Knocking down barriers

Finance Bill reforms aim to make it easier and cheaper to invest in the housing market. James Duncan, partner at Winckworth Sherwood, explains

Open-door policy

Allowing private landlords to validate local housing allowance claims can help councils simplify their procedures and cut their housing waiting lists. Neil Merrick heads to Derbyshire to find out how