The third of a series of reports on the Survey of English Housing for 2003-04 focused on social renters and private renters. Private renters paid, on average, about twice as much rent as social renters ( 117 per week compared to 59 per week): but they earned, on average, more than twice as much as social renters.
Source: Alun Humphrey, Joseph Hewton, David Wall, Robin Oliver and Shuvro Bose, Housing in England 2003/04: Part 3: Social Renters and Private Renters, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (020 7944 4400)
Links: Report | ODPM press release
Date: 2005-Dec
A research report examined the factors which influenced the orders made by judges in housing possession cases. It considered how far there was a consistency of approach in cases between district judges, and the perceptions that key stakeholders had of judges decision-making behaviour.
Source: Caroline Hunter et al., The Exercise of Judicial Discretion in Rent Arrears Cases, Department for Constitutional Affairs (020 7210 8500)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
A report said that the rise in the use of short-term tenancy agreements was undermining efforts to create sustainable communities.
Source: Liam Reynolds, Safe and Secure: The private rented sector and security of tenure, Shelter (020 7505 4699)
Links: Shelter press release
Date: 2005-Sep
The Scottish Executive published a Bill designed to improve the condition and quality of private sector housing, together with an associated policy statement. Campaigners said that the Bill missed an opportunity to tackle the worst practices in private renting.
Source: Housing (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop (0131 622 8283) | Homes for Scotland's People: A housing policy statement, Scottish Executive, available from Blackwell's Bookshop | Press release 8 March 2005, Shelter Scotland (0131 473 7170)
Links: Text of Bill (pdf) | Explanatory notes (pdf) | Policy statement | SE press release (1) | SE press release (2) | Shelter press release
Date: 2005-Mar
A report summarized the findings of a survey of private landlords and letting agents in nine pathfinder and three control areas, prior to the introduction of the local housing allowance.
Source: David Rhodes and Julie Rugg, Landlords and Agents in the Private Rented Sector: The baseline experience in the LHA pathfinders, Department for Work and Pensions (0113 399 4040)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb