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Justin Bates KC

@justinbates.bsky.social
1.1K followers 199 following 202 posts

Housing lawyer, editor of the Encyclopedia of Housing Law, co-author Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.

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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Jim Waterson @jim.londoncentric.media · 03/10/2026
There’s a lot of grumbling in London about new flats being sold to Chinese investors. But you never hear from the Chinese buyers. I asked Helen Gao to travel around Beijing property fairs and learn how you sell life in Woolwich to the Chinese elites. www.londoncentric.media/p/london-pro...
londoncentric.media
How London flats are marketed in China
Chinese buyers of London homes say they feel like “chives” • Bafflement at Londoners’ love of old homes built during the “Qing dynasty” • Fascination with the enigma of the British electrician
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The plan is indeed to keep it going, and I'm presently trying to get access to his accounts. This is proving rather more difficult than I had imagined.
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Felicity Hannah @felicityhannah.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
I am looking to chat to someone weighing up whether to buy a flat as their first home or hold out for a house. Are you worried about flats holding value? 5 minute recorded chat. Please email felicity.hannah@bbc.co.uk if you can help - and please share if you can. Thanks Team Bluesky!
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
A senior Silk once told me that sometimes the SC (or HoL) grants permission because they think you didn't lose badly enough in the CA...
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
I've only had it for a few years! Let me enjoy it a little bit longer.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
There is an easy way for lawyers to avoid problems like this. Do. Your. Own. Work. www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWH...
bailii.org
Making sure you're not a bot!
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Just disgusting. No guidance or case-law gives any support for this. The suggestion seems to be that this was deliberate law breaking.
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Pete Apps @peteapps.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Estate agents offering private landlords 'guaranteed rent' deals rake in millions every month from London boroughs to house homeless families. A mini-investigation by me for the @bigissue.com looks to a put a name to some of the biggest recipients: www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
bigissue.com
How estate agents are earning millions housing homeless families
‘Guaranteed rents’ sees middle-man firms paid millions to help London local authorities find temporary homes for homeless families.
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Matthew Pennycook MP @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
This Labour government is tackling the housing crisis. Our Social Housing Bill will protect precious social housing stock and incentivise the building of new social homes. Our Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill marks the beginning of the end for the feudal leasehold system.
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Jules Birch @julesbirch.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
It's taken ten years (and counting) but the King's Speech includes a Bill that will finally kill off zombie Conservative social housing policies from 2016 that were never implemented but remained on the statute books
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Matthew Pennycook MP @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
I’m deeply saddened at the tragic loss of Giles Peaker. Giles was not only an exceptionally talented housing lawyer but a real force for good in the world who played an integral role in the development of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act. My heartfelt condolences to all who loved him.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
I am very much saddened to report that my friend, @nearlylegal.co.uk passed away this weekend. nearlylegal.co.uk/2026/04/gile...
nearlylegal.co.uk
Giles Peaker - Nearly Legal: Housing Law News and Comment
I am very sorry to announce that Giles passed away over the weekend. If and when there is further information that I can share, I will do so. For now, please take a moment to read the short obituary p...
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
A mere 23 days after you asked!
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Commencement order finally published: www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/42...
legislation.gov.uk
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026
These Regulations are the second commencement regulations made under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26) (“the 2025 Act”). As well as bringing into force provisions of the 2025 Act, they make transit...
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I can find two for Scotland, one for Wales and one for England which is only about enabling powers, not substantive commencement.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
I think that's right. We've got loads of regulations and orders floating around but I haven't seen the Commencement No.1 order yet.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Ooh we've had some excellent District Judge appointments announced. District Judges Angela Hall, Sarah McKeown, Adrian Davis and Emma Godfrey all in the last few weeks. Just in time for the Renters' Rights Act to kick off! www.judiciary.uk/appointments...
judiciary.uk
Appointments & Retirements Archive - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Presumably not just about the money ('tho TA rents are high). I suspect it's also because new Ground 5G (see Sch.1, para.18, Renters' Rights Act 2025) creates a new mandatory ground for possession in some circumstances where a private landlord houses a homeless person at the request of the council.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
"Rent" in the Housing Act 1988 means the same as "Rent" under the Rent Act 1977: caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewca/civ/202...
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Arthur Phillips & Anor v Tess Garraway - Find Case Law - The National Archives
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Shelter @sheltercharity.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Our @sophieearnshaw.bsky.social has been granted permission to intervene in a case that will be heard at the Supreme Court. This case concerns homeless applicants and the circumstances in which a local authority's duty to accommodate ends #housinglaw @landmarkch.bsky.social shltr.org.uk/JfQ6y
shltr.org.uk
The Supreme Court grants Shelter permission to… - Landmark Chambers
Explore 'The Supreme Court grants Shelter permission to intervene in case concerning the end of the main housing duty' at Landmark Chambers for in-depth…
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
I can feel your pain through the screen...
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Matthew Pennycook MP @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
In the wake of the publication of our draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill on Tuesday, lots of existing leaseholders have been in touch seeking clarity as to when the government plans to make it cheaper and easier to extend a lease or buy a freehold 🧵
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Sam Lister @sam-lister.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Renters’ Rights Act anti-discrimination (children and benefits) powers devolved to Wales on 1 June www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2026/6/c...
legislation.gov.uk
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement) (Wales) Order 2026
This Order, made by the Welsh Ministers, brings into force the provisions of Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (“the Act”). These provisions relate to the prohibition of discriminato...
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
An early Christmas gift for homelessness lawyers and public lawyers more generally. R (UYR) v Derby CC [2025] EWCA Civ 1648 Is De Falco and the "strong prima facie case" test (to secure mandatory orders for housing as part of interim relief) wrong? I think the CA is hinting it is wrong...
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
Oh my goodness
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Jules Birch @julesbirch.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Homelessness strategy now out - calling it A National Plan to End Homelessness certainly shows the right level of ambition www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
​​A National Plan to End Homelessness​
​​This strategy sets out our long-term vision to end homelessness and rough sleeping, making sure everyone has access to a safe and secure home.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Memorandum of understanding between the Regulator of Social Housing and the Charity Commission. Important for charitable social landlords in England: www.gov.uk/government/p...
gov.uk
Memorandum of Understanding between the Regulator of Social Housing and The Charity Commission for England and Wales
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
This is a remarkable case which will see the Chief Constable punished for contempt! Much to unpack but huge praise due to junior counsel for the appellant and, for very different reasons, to counsel for the Chief Constable caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewca/civ/202...
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Nadine Buzzard-Quashie v Chief Constable of Northamptonshire - Find Case Law - The National Archives
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Catherine Rowlands @cjr1968.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Permission to appeal to the Supreme Court has been refused in the case of Beach v South Hams DC. The case concerned accom offered to a man where the LA had accepted the full housing duty; he was in priority need as he had children, but he presented without the children, in need of emergency accom
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
I don't imagine they have much hope of winning in the domestic courts. I had always assumed that the plan was to exhaust domestic remedies as quickly as possible and then roll the dice in the ECtHR
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
As it was a Div Ct, I wonder if they'll try for a leapfrog directly to the SC?
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
This isn't an exclusive. These LA-owned/controlled housing companies have existed for decades. And have many legitimate purposes (e.g. to allow social housing to be built without attracting the RTB). www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Revealed: Labour-run council using legal loophole to serve families with no-fault evictions
Exclusive: London council created an arm’s-length body to manage some of its housing stock
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Pete Apps @peteapps.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Can't think of many better illustrations of how badly we have botched housing policy than the fact that our bill for housing homeless families (£2.8bn pa) is now higher than the money we spend each year on new affordable housing (£2.3bn) www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/english...
insidehousing.co.uk
English councils’ temporary accommodation bill rises to £2.8bn
Councils in England spent a record £2.8bn on temporary accommodation last year, with the annual bill rising by 25% as the homelessness crisis deepens.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Ye gods. Westminster accept a breach of s.193(2) HA 1996 and accept they have been in breach for months. They want 12 weeks to comply. The court gave them 4. They went down for a proportion of C's costs plus their own. caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2...
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
Find Case Law - The National Archives
Judgments and decisions from 2003 onwards.
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Hannah Fearn @hannahfearn.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Rayner says in her resignation letter: "The challenges of government are nothing compared to the challenge of putting food on the table and getting a roof over our head when I brought up kids working as a home help." Absolutely. A shame to lose that perspective from the cabinet table.
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Nearly Legal @nearlylegal.co.uk · 05/09/2025
The long tradition of the position of Sec of State for housing being a cursed one continues.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
Ooh - that's a very important discovery.
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Reposted by Justin Bates KC
Karen Buck @queensparkkaren.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
This isn’t a hard one. Right to Buy massively benefited one generation of tenants (and good luck to them) but at the expense of subsequent generations of people in housing need. And the consequential homelessness costs are destroying the finances of local councils to this day.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
It's so obviously A Good Thing that it won't happen.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 08/08/2025
Now there is a vacancy... time for the Karen Buck bat signal?
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Nearly Legal @nearlylegal.co.uk · 07/08/2025
Made it into the new Private Eye @privateeyenews.bsky.social Now I can retire.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
That rarest of beasts - the 2nd case from the UT on the duties on letting agents to publish details of fees. www.gov.uk/administrati...
gov.uk
London Residentials Ltd v London Borough of Newham: [2025] UKUT 201 (AAC)
Upper Tribunal Administrative Appeals Chamber decision by Judge Perez on 22 June 2025.
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
One (small) bit of good news on homelessness in England - number of families in B&B has dropped by over 30% (March 2025 as against March 2024). Applications still going up. Households in TA still going up. www.gov.uk/government/s...
gov.uk
Statutory homelessness in England: January to March 2025
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
English regs www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/89... Welsh regs www.legislation.gov.uk/wsi/2025/894... This is silly. Eligibility should be the same across E, W and Scotland. Won't someone think of the local connection referral implications?!
legislation.gov.uk
The Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) and Persons Subject to Immigration Control (Housing Authority Accommodation and Homelessness) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1294) (“the Eligibility Regulations”). The amendments ensure tha...
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
England and Wales have diverged on eligibility for homelessness assistance and allocations. Intention appears to have been to catch same people (Brits fleeing conflict in Middle East). E has a general category (anyone leaving any country pusuant to gov advice) W has limited it to identified areas.
legislation.gov.uk
The Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) and Persons Subject to Immigration Control (Housing Authority Accommodation and Homelessness) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Regulation 2 of these Regulations amends the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1294) (“the Eligibility Regulations”). The amendments ensure tha...
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Matthew Pennycook MP @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Full service charge protection consultation here 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/c...
gov.uk
Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services: consultation
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Justin Bates KC @justinbates.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
The leasehold reform paper is out. Essentially, a mixture of questions around implementing the service charge / management aspects of the 2024 Act and then questions about wider reform. This is a serious piece of work www.gov.uk/government/c...
gov.uk
Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services: consultation
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Katie NLC @nlc-movement.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
Strengthening leaseholder consumer rights "Following the consultation, we intend to bring the various measures into force as quickly as possible. To end the feudal leasehold system for good" @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social #Leaseholdscandal questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
questions-statements.parliament.uk
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
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