Housing Legislation
Laws governing housing development, tenant rights, property standards, social housing, and urban planning.
The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025
The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 10) Regulations 2025, effective May 1, 2025, implement several sections of the Environment Act 2021 concerning biodiversity net gain.
These sections, primarily impacting planning permissions in England, introduce a condition within the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure that all new developments contribute towards increasing biodiversity.
The regulations clarify specific parts of the relevant legislation that come into effect and explain the integration of these additions into existing planning processes.
While no independent cost impact assessment was deemed necessary for these regulations, reference is made to a broader impact assessment on the Environment Act 2021.
The Student Accommodation (Codes of Management Practice and Specified Educational Establishments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2024 Student Accommodation Regulations to update codes of management practice for student housing in England.
Key changes include the approval of a new Universities UK/GuildHE Accommodation Code of Practice, the specification of educational establishments under the Housing Act 2004, and the revocation of several superseded regulations.
The amendments aim to improve standards, clarify application, and streamline the regulatory framework for student housing.
The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025
The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 amend existing legislation to reflect changes introduced by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The regulations update fees for certain planning applications and adjust several Acts to incorporate new provisions for planning permission on Crown land in England.
These new provisions establish two application routes: one for urgent, nationally important developments and another for nationally important developments without urgency.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment etc.) (England) Regulations 2025
The Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment etc.) (England) Regulations 2025 amend the 2010 Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations and the 2013 Town and Country Planning Order.
These amendments clarify the application of the Community Infrastructure Levy to certain planning determinations made by the Secretary of State or appointed persons, and enhance the information gathered on CIL liabilities within planning applications.
The changes primarily aim to improve clarity, consistency and the efficiency of the planning process concerning the levy in England.
The Flood Reinsurance (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2015 Flood Reinsurance regulations, raising the total levy from £135 million to £160 million.
This increase aims to improve the affordability and availability of flood insurance in high-risk areas.
The amendment applies to England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland and took effect on April 1st, 2025, without affecting existing liabilities.
The Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (Indexation of Annual Chargeable Amounts) Order 2025
This order, made by the UK Treasury, sets the annual chargeable amounts for the annual tax on enveloped dwellings, effective from April 1st, 2025.
The amounts are determined according to a table referencing the taxable value of the interest, and these amounts are indexed to reflect a 1.7% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since September 2024.
This indexation is mandated by Section 101(5) of the Finance Act 2013.
The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) (Amendment and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2025
These regulations amend the 2012 Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications, Deemed Applications, Requests and Site Visits) (England) Regulations.
Several fees are increased, including those for prior approval applications, confirmation of compliance with planning conditions, and section 73 applications.
A new three-tiered fee structure for section 73 applications is introduced.
Transitional provisions ensure that the amendments do not apply to applications or requests made before the regulations' commencement date (April 1, 2025), while delaying the application of the annual fee increase provided for in regulation 18A to April 1, 2026.
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025
The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Estimates and Accounts) Order 2025 designates numerous central government bodies as 'designated bodies' for the financial year ending 31 March 2026.
This designation is for their inclusion in the supply estimates and resource accounts of their respective government departments.
The order covers various government departments and agencies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
It is based on powers granted by the Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 and includes consultations with devolved administrations.
The Council Tax (Discount Disregards and Exempt Dwellings) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective March 25th, 2025, modify existing council tax legislation in England.
They expand the categories of individuals eligible for council tax discounts and exempt dwellings to include those participating in the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and those entitled to a government thank you payment under associated guidance.
The changes apply to both discount disregards and exempt dwelling definitions, ensuring consistent treatment of Ukrainian arrivals within the council tax system.
The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The RTM Companies (Model Articles) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 amend the 2009 Regulations governing right-to-manage (RTM) companies in England.
Key changes include defining 'lease' according to the 2002 Act, restricting landlord voting power to one-third of tenant votes, and requiring landlords to be freeholders to qualify for votes.
These amendments aim to balance voting rights within RTM companies and improve governance clarity.
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective March 3, 2025, implement several sections of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 related to leaseholders' right to manage.
Specifically, they define non-residential limits on claims, detail cost allocation, ensure compliance with the 2002 Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act, prohibit initial High Court applications for tribunal matters, and restrict the recovery of certain costs.
The aim is to clarify, simplify, and streamline the right-to-manage process for leaseholders.