Housing Law, Policy and Practice
| Module title | Housing Law, Policy and Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW2172 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Miss Natasha Bellinger (Lecturer) Dr Richard Bowyer (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
In this module you will learn about housing law in England, including aspects of civil procedure relevant to the most common housing disputes. The module looks at both the theoretical and policy orientations around housing and how it is allocated, as well as the real-world practical dimension of seeking remedies, asserting rights, and challenging unfair practices. This module is an excellent complement to any clinic or pro bono work you are currently doing or intend to do in the future. You will also see housing law in context – as a question of social justice as much as legal right – and how policy activism might be just as important as legal advocacy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module aims to give you a strong foundation in key foundations of housing law, including public and private sector housing, home ownership, the regulation of home standards, and equality and human rights-based claims. You will be encouraged to think about housing issues as they arise in different spheres of society as well as the inherent demand for social justice, and how law and politics can shape our response to that demand. You will develop skills and knowledge in professional legal practice relevant to housing, which may be of use in your future work as a legal practitioner. You will also undertake policy analysis which will advance your skills in advocacy and activism.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of housing law and policy in England & Wales.
- 2. Apply aspects of civil procedure and principles of professional practice to a real or hypothetical housing scenario.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of a legal system to deliver social justice.
- 4. Identify a case for policy change, and make effective proposals informed by the use of data/information.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Demonstrate effective and accurate written communication skills for a variety of audiences.
- 6. Work independently to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Housing policy and social justice
- Home ownership
- Decarbonisation of homes and the Future Homes Standard 2025
- Regulation of private tenancies
- Social housing (including right to buy)
- Homelessness provisions
- Healthy home standards, including the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
- Equality law and housing: Equality Act 2010 and Article 8 ECHR-based claims
- Remedies: statutory repair obligations, injunctions, specific performance, damages, statutory compensation, deposit protection
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 26.5 | 123.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | 11 x 2hr weekly lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 4.5 | 3 x 1.5 hr seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Workshop preparation and reading |
| Guided Independent Study | 36 | Preparation of assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 500 | 1,3,4,5,6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 100 | 2500 words | 1-6 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio (2500 words) | Essay (2500 words) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral Period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to redo the assessment(s) as defined above. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Diane Astin, Housing Law Handbook (Legal Action Group, 2022).
- Julian Sidoli and Michel Vols, Regulating the City: Contemporary Urban Housing Law (Eleven Publishing, 2017).
- David Cowan, Housing Law and Policy (CUP, 2011).
- Jan Luba KC, Defending Possession Proceedings 9th Edition (Legal Action Group, 2021)
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 15/02/2024 |
