Profile avatar
justinbates.bsky.social
Housing lawyer, editor of the Encyclopedia of Housing Law, co-author Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act and Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.
171 posts 1,027 followers 197 following
Prolific Poster
Conversation Starter
Posts 38 Comments 12

Ooh! A very good change to Part 6, HA 1996 - from 10 July 2025, a local authority cannot apply "local connection" tests under Part 6 to certain categories of domestic abuse survivor nor certain care leavers www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/70...

submitted 7 hours ago • 0 comments

The abolition of priority need and the concept of intentional homelessness! Come and join us as we talk through these major changes to homelessness law in Wales. www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/events/homel...

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

I realise that this is not the key point of this judgment, but the idea that a pupil should ever have been doing a housing JR of this nature is absurd. This is far, far above what is suitable for a pupil. caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2...

submitted 14 days ago • 3 comments

"For all the incompetence and obstruction demonstrated by Mr Webber, there is no reason to think that Ms Syed was charged more than a reasonable amount for the cover obtained." Anyone who has appeared before the DP can imagine his tone... landschamber.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk/Aspx/view.as...

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

Interesting CPRC minutes (h/t @robin-stewart.bsky.social ) which suggest social landlords will be allowed to grant ASTs and use s.21 HA 1988 for a while even after the Renters Rights Bill becomes law. The reforms will apply to the PRS first... assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67f63f...

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

We must close the significant gap between the amount of land allocated and permissioned and the number of homes being completed. We’ve today published a working paper seeking views on further action the government can take to increase build out rates 👇🏻 www.gov.uk/government/p...

submitted 26 days ago • 3 comments

Proud to have contributed to this. An amazing team and a lot of work sit behind it. Continue to be blown away by the bravery of those impacted and the powerful way they push for change and justice. Hope this helps move that forward. (TW - images of Grenfell on fire) www.youtube.com/watch?v=33r1...

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Big homelessness reforms in Wales, including abolishing priority need and intentionality test. laiddocuments.senedd.wales/pri-ld17178-...

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

More on the AI fake legal cases - a hearing for contempt of court this Friday. Not just wasted costs orders now, but possibly contempt proceedings. This ain't pretty. www.judiciary.uk/judgments/al...

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

This is very concerning. Huge data hack at the Legal Aid Agency.

submitted 32 days ago • 1 comment

www.gov.uk/government/n...

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments

This was one of the last cases of the late Simon Mullings. His CA victory stands as the SC refuses permission to appeal www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2...

submitted 34 days ago • 0 comments

www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2... SC also refuses permission in the 'absolute ground' case

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2... SC declines to take up a slightly odd RTB case

submitted 43 days ago • 0 comments

I am afraid I can't make it owing to pre-existing U10s football duties! Good luck to all the nominees. The work you do is of enormous value and importance

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

File on 4 - the ongoing fire safety crisis. With Pete Apps who, frankly, knows this suff inside out. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/admin/2... A total disaster all round.

submitted 45 days ago • 0 comments

Jesus Christ. If you’re not prepared for trial you ask for an adjournment, you don’t MURDER YOUR CLIENT. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

submitted 47 days ago • 16 comments

New homelessness, allocations and building safety laws for Wales. Details are light but the announcement is here: record.senedd.wales/Plenary/1507...

submitted 51 days ago • 0 comments

Local government housing finance question - does anyone have a copy of the HRA (Exclusion of Leases) Direction 1997 they could let me have?

submitted 59 days ago • 0 comments

Important UT(LC) case on FTT procedure and the error of taking the inquisitorial approach too far. Ground 2 also important on bias/unfairness. landschamber.decisions.tribunals.gov.uk/Aspx/view.as...

submitted 72 days ago • 1 comment

Scottish homelessness case in the SC. Legal structure similar (but not identical) to Wales and England. Approval of the 'suitable for the time being' approach. www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2...

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

And this is even after the 2011 reforms which allowed LAs greater control over who entered the list in the first place.

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

You know you're getting old when your former pupil brings you in to an appeal...

submitted 78 days ago • 0 comments

BBC News - Councils putting homeless children at risk, MPs find www.bbc.com/news/article...

submitted 78 days ago • 0 comments

Excellent piece

submitted 81 days ago • 0 comments

Hmm..... detail is sparse but this seems a difficult challenge. One might even say it was bold.

submitted 81 days ago • 0 comments

I'm rubbish at promoting the Welsh housing law and policy blog. But, if you're interested in ombuds, here's one on the PSOW blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/housing-law-... And new today, on the crisis in temporary accommodation: blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/housing-law-...

submitted 84 days ago • 0 comments

A fantastic opportunity in association with SafeDeposits Scotland Charitable Trust for a funded PhD at @lawstrath.bsky.social examining private renting evictions in Scotland More info and how to apply is at the link below. Applications open until 2nd May www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/...

submitted 110 days ago • 0 comments

Oh ye gods. Asylum seekers won't get social housing because s.160ZA (England) and s160A (Wales), Housing Act 1996 prevents that from happening.

submitted 86 days ago • 0 comments

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03...

submitted 86 days ago • 0 comments

www.gov.uk/government/n...

submitted 87 days ago • 0 comments

Chair of @propertybar.bsky.social, Philip Rainey KC, shares why the Property Bar Association contributes to the work of Advocate when renewing their practising certificates. 🔎 Find out more about donating to Advocate during ATP renewal: bit.ly/ATP2025

submitted 91 days ago • 0 comments

NEW | Living with the Private Rented Sector The 10-year plan for housing needs to ensure that local authorities can enforce the Renters’ Rights Bill and deliver a step-change in cultures and practices in the PRS, Giles Peaker (@nearlylegal.co.uk) writes: redbrickblog.co.uk/2025/03/10-y...

submitted 95 days ago • 0 comments

Potentially a good idea here: government books hotels and temporary accommodation centrally, preventing councils and the home office competing against each other for bookings which drives up prices

submitted 98 days ago • 2 comments

Important on s48 LTA 1987

submitted 100 days ago • 2 comments

Today I learned that the Civil Procedure Rules Committee has a superbly named Lacuna Sub-Committee. I wonder if there is an Aporia Working Group.

submitted 106 days ago • 3 comments

Commonhold White Paper now out www.gov.uk/government/p...

submitted 109 days ago • 0 comments