Housing Condition Conference 2023 – Legal Futures
The fall-out has shown how significant the issue is. In January 2023, Housing Ombudsman said that while the inquest has “focused the minds of the sector… we are continually finding in our casework that landlords have not responded to this issue with sufficient urgency”.
The following month, the Regulator of Social Housing estimated 120,000 to 160,000 homes in England have “notable” issues with damp and mould. Of those, up to 80,000 are thought to have serious issues.
As well as a keynote address from Rebecca Reed, from the Housing Ombudsman service, who explained their priorities and the ombudsman’s role in addressing disrepair, the conference looked at how changes to the CPR and how a new focus among legal regulators has put the onus on lawyers to take particular care when dealing with vulnerable clients – which those in social housing often are.
During the day, we heard from specialist surveyors who outlined what practitioners need to know about mould, condensation and infestation, while both claimant and defendant lawyers on the frontline outlined their experience of this type of litigation. We also looked at the role of ADR as well as the interplay between housing litigation and recoverable costs.
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Speakers:
Steve Cornforth Owner, Steve Cornforth Consultancy
Jamie Paterson FRICS Managing Director, Paterson Associates
Sean Mooney Owner, Kill Line Pest Control
Gavin Spruin Repairs Team Leader, CEL Solicitors
Matthew Wilson Partner, Clarke Willmott
James Cliff Barrister, 7 Harrington St Chambers
Giles Peaker Partner, Anthony Gold
Rebecca Reed The Housing Ombudsman
Peter Causton Barrister, 7 Harrington St Chamber
Nick McDonnell Director, Kain Knight