Almshouse residents
Almshouses have for centuries offered sanctuary to the poor and vulnerable but the legal status of those who occupy them has always been in doubt – until the January 2017 case of Watts v Stewart & Or.
In opening the way for a woman’s eviction from an almshouse, the Court of Appeal conclusively found that she was a licensee, not a tenant.
The woman had occupied the almshouse for over 10 years, having been appointed as a beneficiary of the charity that owned it, and was required to pay weekly rent and maintenance charges. Following numerous incidents of anti-social behaviour, the charity was granted a possession order against her by a judge.
In dismissing her challenge to that order, the Court rejected arguments that she occupied the almshouse under a periodic tenancy. The terms of her appointment made clear that she was never intended to have exclusive legal possession of the property and had only been granted a personal licence to occupy it.
The woman also argued that her lack of protection from eviction, when compared to tenants of social housing, amounted to unlawful discrimination within the meaning of Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. However, the Court found that any such differential treatment was objectively justified.
Noting that there are 35,000 residents of 1,700 almshouses around the country, the Court found that granting the former security of tenure would undermine the charitable objectives of the latter. The absence of such security struck a fair balance between the interests of charities and current and future almspersons.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Statement of health and early intervention.
The importance of regular check-ups
And related links on DB.
Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS
Rooflights, skylights, roof windows and Part L
Shedding some light on the new Building Regulations.
Interview with historic built environment surveyor.
Upgraded membership category now requires assessment.
The average kinetic energy of molecules
Temperature in buildings, explained on DB
Women and unequal pay in project management
Main barrier to entering the profession, new study reveals.
IHBC’s response to Parliamentary Committee
On Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill.
Finalists for 2022 CIOB Awards revealed
Over 70 managers and organisations shortlisted for the 14 awards.
Types of building sensors on BD
From biometric to electrical current, chemical and more.
Government mandates detectors in rented homes
Changes are due to come into force on 1st October 2022.
80% of major government projects are rated red or amber
Heed advice and insight of this report IPA tells the government.
The end of the games but continued calls for action
From the Commonwealth Association of Architects.
Sustainable urban drainage systems SUDS