Housing News Digest
Housing News Digest
The Tenants' Union Housing News Digest compiles our pick of items from all the latest tenancy and housing media, sent once per week, on Thursdays.
Below is the Digest archive from November 2020 onwards. From time to time you will find additional items in the archive that did not make it into the weekly Digest email. Earlier archives are here, where you can also find additional digests by other organisations.
Our main email newsletter, Tenant News is sent once every two months. You can subscribe or update your subscription preferences for any of our email newsletters here.
See notes about the Digest and a list of other contributors here. Many thanks to those contributors for sharing links with us.
We love sharing the news and hope you find it informative! We're very happy to deliver it for free, but if you find it valuable, can you help cover the extra costs incurred by making a donation?
Archive
Scottish government extends eviction ban until end of March
Lucie Heath Inside Housing (Paywall)Evictions will not be enforced in Scotland until the end of March, with the Scottish government deciding to extend a ban in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases. ... The Scottish government first introduced a ban on eviction notices being enforced on 11 December as part of a Christmas truce, but the rules were initially due to end on 22 January. Going forward the ban will apply to all evictions in areas subject to Tier 3 or 4 restrictions, except those involving criminal or serious anti-social behaviour, such as domestic abuse.
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/scottish-government-ex…
# Hot topic International, Eviction, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19.Legal topics for older people Diary 2021
(No paywall)The Legal Topics for Older People Diary 2021 provides information about seniors rights, consumer law, aged care, community phone numbers and a list of agencies and services for older people. Check out September where theme is 'Your home: owning, renting and neighbours'. Pre-orders open on 11 January 2021. Go to: [https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/order-a-publication] View an electronic copy of the diary here.
https://publications.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/PublicationsResourcesSe…
# NSW, Older people.In the first lockdown, England proved it could end homelessness. Why not now?
Francisco Garcia The Guardian (No paywall)From the United Kingdom ... A few months had passed since the implementation in March of 'Everyone In', the scheme to temporarily house rough sleepers in self-contained accommodation during the first wave of the pandemic, including in newly deserted hotels and hostels. The homelessness charity Crisis called it extraordinary, while others lined up to congratulate the government on its unusually bold course of action to shelter thousands of society’s most vulnerable people. An article in the Lancet estimated that the measures prevented more than 21,000 infections and 266 deaths. Simply put, Everyone In saved lives. But the scheme didn’t even last the year. [Read on ...]
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/10/first-lock…
# Must read International, Coronavirus COVID-19, Homelessness.New Zealand's housing market soars, with record prices for second month in a row
Elle Hunt The Guardian (No paywall)New Zealand’s housing bubble shows no sign of bursting, with record prices recorded for the second month in a row. The property research firm CoreLogic’s house price index shows that the average house price hit $788,967 in December, reflecting an increase of 2.6%. Growth for the final quarter of 2020 was 6.1% – the highest recorded since the 6.6% in the three months to February 2004.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/07/new-zealands-housi…
# International, Housing market.Eviction ban ‘under review’, prime minister says
Dominic Brady Inside Housing (Paywall)From the United Kingdom ... The government is keeping a ban on evictions “under review” as the Christmas truce on repossessions is due to end next week, the prime minister has said. ... Mr Johnson’s review of an eviction ban comes after campaigners and housing bodies recently urged the government to reinstate introduce a full ban for renters in England again, arguing that it is “too dangerous” to evict people from their homes.
https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/eviction-ban-under-rev…
# Hot topic International, Eviction, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19.Rental vacancy rates hit zero in Australian coastal towns as they hit COVID capacity
Emilia Terzon ABC (No paywall)The pandemic has brought on a property boom for surf towns as cashed-up city dwellers make a sea change. But while that is great for homeowners selling at high prices, it has created a nightmare for some renters. Data supplied to ABC News by CoreLogic shows just how slim the availability of rental homes has become in several key coastal regions, including Byron Bay, Newcastle and the Gold Coast. Demand has risen so far beyond supply that there is almost nothing sitting empty for potential renters.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-08/surf-coast-rentals-at-zer…
# Australia, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19, Housing market.How President-Elect Joe Biden Proposes To Change Housing Policies
Natalie Campsi (No paywall)From the United States ... Housing was not a major talking point in the 2020 election, but President-elect Joe Biden devised a blueprint to tackle major housing issues nonetheless. The sweeping $640 billion, 10-year plan addresses everything from affordable housing to anti-discrimination policies. Some commentators have called it a “comprehensive plan” for housing, while others say Biden is throwing big money at real problems without offering practical solutions.Housing was not a major talking point in the 2020 election, but President-elect Joe Biden devised a blueprint to tackle major housing issues nonetheless. The sweeping $640 billion, 10-year plan addresses everything from affordable housing to anti-discrimination policies. Some commentators have called it a “comprehensive plan” for housing, while others say Biden is throwing big money at real problems without offering practical solutions. (Forbes)
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/biden-housing-policies/
# International, Discrimination, Affordable housing.Renters face financial strife while stuck in NSW due to border closure
Rachael Dexter The Sydney Morning Herald (Paywall)Sleeping in the car is looming as the only option for stranded Victorians who have spent thousands on emergency accommodation in NSW on top of the rent for homes they can't get to because of the border closure. ... Consumer Affairs Victoria said some renters trapped in NSW may be able to negotiate rental relief under Victoria's emergency COVID-19 laws.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/renters-face-financial-…
# Australia, Rent, Coronavirus COVID-19.