Short notice inspection finds weaknesses

I should COCO

Few expected arm’s-length management organisations to feature in David Cameron’s new vision for public services.

In the depths of despair

Squatters often live in horrific and dangerous conditions but criminalising them is not the answer, says Jeremy Swain

Manion on a mission

Kicking off our north special is a man whose controversial approach to housing has earned him a reputation as a maverick. After 14 years as chief executive of Irwell Valley Housing Association, Stuart Macdonald finds livewire Liverpudlian Tom Manion as fired up as ever.

Licence to regulate

She aspired to be James Bond but there’s nothing top secret about the way Kay Blair plans to regulate social landlords in Scotland. Martin Hilditch kicks off our special issue by arranging a rendez-vous with the chair of the new housing watchdog

Chief Executives and their seven deadly sins

The home MOT test

A Dutch landlord is reducing maintenance costs by giving its homes regular check-ups. Chloë Stothart finds out how it works

Wind of change

A host of new laws are set to change the landscape for Welsh social landlords. Michael Northcott reports

Clearing your debts

The Court of Appeal has given some clarification on claiming possession against an assured tenant subject to a bankruptcy order or debt relief order. Jason Hobday explains

Get some expert advice

Every week Inside Housing’s Need to Know section brings you best practice advice and information on the subjects most concerning you. Free with today’s magazine is the first ever Need to Know supplement. Here our Ask the Experts panel answer some of the key questions it raises

Scrapheap challenge

The price of metal has risen sky high making pipes, railings and even boilers an irresistible target to thieves. Chloë Stothart finds out how one housing association is tackling the growing problem of metal theft