Housing Legislation
Laws governing housing development, tenant rights, property standards, social housing, and urban planning.
The Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) and Persons Subject to Immigration Control (Housing Authority Accommodation and Homelessness) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend existing UK legislation to ensure that British nationals returning from government-advised evacuations are eligible for housing and homelessness assistance in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The amendments waive the habitual residence test for a six-month period following evacuation, allowing immediate access to housing for those who meet specific criteria defined by the regulations.
These criteria include possessing leave to enter or remain in the UK, not being subject to a 'no recourse to public funds' condition, and not being sponsored under certain visa schemes
The Housing (Right to Buy) (Designated Rural Areas and Designated Regions) (England) Order 2025
This Order, effective August 2nd, 2025, designates specific parishes in Colchester and East Hampshire as rural areas under the Housing Act 1985's right-to-buy scheme.
It also designates Colchester and East Hampshire as regions for the scheme's application in those parishes.
The order enables the imposition of covenants or rights of first refusal on sold properties to potentially preserve affordable housing.
An impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a lack of anticipated significant effects on public or private sectors.
The Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025
These regulations mandate personal and building emergency evacuation plans for high-rise residential buildings in England.
They require responsible persons to identify residents with disabilities affecting evacuation, conduct person-centred fire risk assessments, implement mitigating measures, and create evacuation plans, also sharing information with local fire and rescue authorities.
The regulations include provisions for regular reviews and emphasize data protection compliance.
The Allocation of Housing (Qualification Criteria for Victims of Domestic Abuse and Care Leavers) (England) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective July 10, 2025, prohibit English local housing authorities from using local connection criteria when allocating housing to victims of domestic abuse and care leavers.
The regulations define 'domestic abuse' according to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and specify 'eligible', 'relevant', and 'former relevant children' by referencing the Children Act 1989.
The aim is to improve housing access for these vulnerable groups.
The Manston Airport Development Consent (Amendment) Order 2025
The Manston Airport Development Consent (Amendment) Order 2025 amends the 2022 order to extend the time limit for compulsory land acquisition from one to five years.
This amendment, made under the Planning Act 2008, addresses potential delays in the airport development project.
The order was signed by Kayla Marks, Head of the Transport and Works Act Orders Unit at the Department for Transport, on May 19, 2025 and comes into effect May 20, 2025.
The Transfer of Functions (Fire and Rescue Services) Order 2025
The Transfer of Functions (Fire and Rescue Services) Order 2025 transfers the responsibility for fire and rescue services from the Home Secretary to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, effective June 3, 2025.
This includes the transfer of all associated property, rights, liabilities, and ongoing processes.
The order clarifies the effective continuation of any ongoing actions and the use of existing documentation after this transfer of responsibilities.
Existing legislation is adjusted to reflect these changes, and the order makes clear that nothing in this order interferes with the activities of the devolved nations.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2025
This order amends the 2015 Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order for England.
Key changes include relaxing restrictions on installing electric vehicle charging points and air source heat pumps, streamlining planning processes for these developments.
Specific alterations involve removing certain limitations on the size, location, and number of permitted installations.
A transitional provision allows continued development under previous regulations for a limited time.
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 1988 Regulations.
Key changes include removing certain baby and child products from the definition of "furniture," eliminating specific labeling requirements, and extending the time limit for legal proceedings related to fire safety offenses to twelve months.
The amendments aim to clarify the regulatory framework and reduce burdens on businesses, although concerns remain about potential impacts on fire safety and enforcement.