Zaman (claimant/appellant) v London Borough of Waltham Forest (defendant/respondent)
Uduezue (claimant/appellant) v London Borough of Bexley (defendant/reespondent)
Tuesday 7 – Wednesday 8 February 2023
Zaman appeal – By Appellants Notice filed 11 August 2022, the claimant appeals HHJ Gerald’s order dated 21 July 2022, sitting in Central London County Court, (1) striking out ground 1(5) of the grounds of appeal (as not having been raised on review) (2) dismissing A’s appeal against the Respondent local authority ‘s (R) review decision dated 12 November 2021 in respect to its offer of accommodation pursuant to s.193 of the Housing Act 1996, and (3) making consequential costs orders.
Issue concerning suitability/affordability of out of area/district/borough Private Rented Sector Offer (PRSO) of accommodation in Stoke on Trent to A & her 3 children. R’s review decision dated 12 November 2021 upheld the original decision.
A did not consider the PRSO suitable, as she was an informal carer for her mother who lived locally, and given her own health conditions and her childrens’ education.
Uduezue appeal – By Appellants Notice filed on 21 July 2022, the Appellant below (A) appeals HHJ Saggerson’s order dated 1 July 2022, sitting in Central London County Court, dismissing A’s appeal against the Respondent local authority’s (R) review decision dated 20 October 2020 which upheld R’s decision dated 13 August 2020 discharging its housing duty to A.
R initially provided A with accommodation in 28 August 2018. In 2019 following a change in A’s immigration status, R accepted it owed A a “main housing duty ” under s193(2) HA and provided her with temporary accommodation. In March 2020 A was placed on R’s housing register. On 11 August 2020 R made a Private Rented Sector Offer (PRSO) to A of a 3 bedroom home out of R’s district/borough. A refused that offer based on the health issues of herself and new born child, her need for local support network, and her eldest child’s education. R had other properties within district available at the time. Issues over suitability of accommodation offered to A and her children; duty under s208 HA for accommodation to be inside the local authority’s district so “far as reasonably practicable”; and question of statutory interpretation of definition of PRSO and “ordinary practice” of R to make such offers to applicants rather than the offer being made by the landlords.
View hearing:
Day 1
Day 2