Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

Chorley BC v EM [2009] UKUT 108 (AAC) (12 June 2009)
Housing and council tax benefits
other

IN THE UPPER TRIBUNAL

ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS CHAMBER

DECISIONS OF THE UPPER TRIBUNAL

Judge Charles Turnbull

ON APPEAL FROM:

Tribunal:

Tribunal Case Nos:

Tribunal Venue:

Hearing dates:


 


IN THE UPPER TRIBUNAL Appeal Nos. CH/4432/2006 and others

ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS CHAMBER

A. INTRODUCTION

1. These are appeals by 8 claimants (and the estate of one deceased claimant), all of whom are tenants of (or in the case of the deceased claimant was formerly a tenant of) Empower Housing Association Limited ("Empower"). In each appeal the issue is whether the accommodation let to the claimant tenant was at the material time "exempt accommodation" – i.e. accommodation

"provided by a non-metropolitan county council ………… a housing association, a registered charity or voluntary organisation where that body or a person acting on its behalf also provides the claimant with care, support or supervision."

2. It is common ground that Empower is both a "housing association" and a "voluntary organisation" for the purposes of the above definition. The claimants all have a substantial degree of learning disability, and in most cases also physical disability, such that they have been assessed as requiring 24 hour care, supervision and support to enable them to live as independently as reasonably possible in the accommodation. Most of the claimants in fact require at least one to one care and support throughout the day, and all require a carer/support worker to be sleeping in the accommodation at night. Each of the claimants has a tenancy of a room in one of three properties in Chorley. One of those properties ("no. 20") accommodates 3 of the claimants, another ("no 302") accommodates 4 of the claimants (and previously also accommodated the deceased claimant) and a third ("no. 302A") accommodates the remaining claimant.
3. That care, support and supervision is supplied by carers working for what is called the Chorley Domiciliary Service ("CDS"), which is an agency of Lancashire County Council ("LCC"), the body which has statutory duties to provide accommodation, care and support for the Claimants. It is not contended on behalf of the Claimants that Empower provides any of the necessary "care" or "supervision". It is, however, contended on their behalves (i) that the housing related support which CDS provides is provided "on behalf of" Empower (Issue 1) and (ii) that Empower itself (i.e. through its own employees) provides some housing related support to the Claimants (Issue 2).
4. The significance of the issues is in broad terms that substantially more housing benefit is likely to be payable by the local authority, Chorley Council ("the Council"), in respect of each claimant's tenancy if the accommodation is "exempt accommodation". That is because as from 1996 a new version of regulation 11 of the Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987 was enacted, under which the rent eligible for housing benefit is in effect limited to that determined by a rent officer in accordance with specified criteria. However, a saving provision was enacted (in regulation 10 of the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 1995). This provided that the old form of regulation 11 should continue to apply in certain cases, one of which (as subsequently amended) was that of a person "who is liable to make payments in respect of a dwelling occupied by him as his home, which is exempt accommodation." "Exempt accommodation" was defined in regulation 10(6) of the 1995 Regulations (again as subsequently amended) as including accommodation within the definition set out in paragraph 1 above.
5. Under the consolidation of the housing benefit legislation which took effect from 6 March 2006, regulation 11 of the 1987 Regulations has become regulation 13 of the Housing Benefit Regulations 2006. Provision for the continued application of "old" regulation 11 is now in effect contained in the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006. The definition of "exempt accommodation", in the terms set out above, is now in paragraph 4(10) of Schedule 3 to those Regulations.
6. In cases where the old form of regulation 11 applies the effect, broadly, is that the Council cannot restrict, by reference to a rent officer's determination, the amount of rent eligible for housing benefit unless there is suitable alternative accommodation available to the claimant and it is reasonable to expect the claimant to move to it.
7. In the case of each of the Claimants the contractual rent payable to Empower at the material time was £199 per week, but the Council, following assessments of the local reference rent by the rent officer in the sum of £52.50 per week, awarded only that sum by way of housing benefit. The sums at stake are therefore very substantial – about £145 per tenant per week. In addition, my decisions in these cases may be material to some or all of Empower's other tenants: I am told that there are appeals by other tenants of Empower which have been stayed by the first-tier tribunal pending my decisions in these appeals.
8. Each of the Claimants appealed against the Council's decision, and in each case an appeal tribunal allowed the appeal, finding that Empower did itself provide "support" to more than a minimal extent. In each case, however, I have, by interim decisions made some time ago, set aside the tribunal's decision as wrong in law.
9. Rather than remitting the cases to fresh appeal tribunals for redetermination, I directed that there should be a hearing before me with a view to my making the necessary findings of fact and re-making the tribunals' decisions, in exercise of the powers in section 12(2)(b)(ii) and (4) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. I directed that the appeals should be heard at the same time, and that the evidence in each case should be treated as also being evidence in the other cases.
10. That hearing took place on 11 and 12 March 2009 in Manchester. The Claimants were represented by Mr Simon Ennals, a solicitor practising in Sheffield in the field of welfare and community law under the name "Essential Rights Legal Practice". The Council was represented by Miss Rachel Perez, of counsel. The Claimants' legal representation was supplied by Empower, which clearly has a direct financial interest in the Claimants' appeals succeeding.
11. At the hearing oral evidence was given by Mrs. Susan Lenz, the senior team manager for CDS (and therefore an employee of LCC), and by Miss Michelle Hill, a senior benefit, housing and tenant support officer employed by Empower. That oral evidence occupied two days of hearing time, at the end of which I directed that the parties make their submissions in writing.
12. I have been supplied with a transcript of the oral evidence. I refer in this decision to pages in the transcript as [Day 1 p.[ ]]. It is apparent from comparing the transcript with my own notes of the evidence that there are three fairly short sections where the recording machinery must have been switched off, or did not function. Those sections begin at [Day 1 p. 42 line 19, Day 1 p.117 line 10 and Day 2 p.111 line 20] of the transcript. I can of course on request by the parties supply a typed transcript of my note of those passages.
13. In this decision I refer to page numbers in the files made up by the Upper Tribunal in relation to the three cases (one in relation to each property) selected as lead cases for the purpose of preparing hearing bundles as [no. 20 p.[ ]], [no. 302 p.[ ]] and [no.302A p.[ ]]. I refer to dividers and pages in the two lever arch files annexed to Miss Hill's witness statement as [Orange/Green/Yellow or Pink] p. [ ]]. The page numbers are those inserted in my own bundles, which unfortunately differed from those in the parties' bundles. If the parties are in any doubt as to which page I am referring to, that can of course be clarified.
14. For the avoidance of doubt, for the purpose of writing this decision I have also had before me the documents which were before the appeal tribunals in relation to the other claimants (i.e. those not selected as lead cases for the purpose of preparing hearing bundles), and I have looked at those for the purpose of obtaining information on matters such as the nature of those claimants' disabilities, and relevant dates.

B. No. 20

(a) The three Claimants

15. The documentary material (including, where made available by LCC, the care plans and SS1B Core Assessment Forms drawn up by LCC) reveal the following information in relation to the three claimants who live in no. 20.
16. Mr M is 61. He has Downs syndrome and some autistic traits, resulting in certain obsessive behaviours. He understands most things said to him. He will say "yes", "no" and "bye", but needs prompts to say any other words. He will use some very limited sign language. When he is happy he smiles a lot and likes to communicate with people by showing them things. He needs assistance with a number of activities of daily living such as shaving and showering, keeping his room clean and tidy, cooking, washing up, operating a washing machine, managing his medication and walking outside (he has no road sense). He is able to walk unaided but tends to walk slowly and needs help crossing roads. He has a tendency to exhibit unacceptable behaviours such as standing in front of a window with no clothes on, pulling buttons off his clothes, and flushing things down the toilet. He was admitted to a hospital for short term care at the age of 9, and remained there until he was 47. He was then settled in adult placement schemes until 1998, when he moved into supported living accommodation, supported by CDS.
17. Miss P is 31. She is apparently able to understand verbal instructions but her communication is very poor. She uses her own words which at times do not make sense. She cannot hold a conversation but repeats words back. She does not use sign language, and cannot read or write. She also has epilepsy. She has a tendency to display severely challenging behaviour when in the company of other people. She is unable to undertake any household tasks, and eats with her fingers. She attends a day centre 5 days a week.
18. Miss M.G. is 57 and has severe learning difficulties. She is unable to communicate verbally or to read or write. She is very unsteady on her feet and has a tendency to hit out at people

(b) Empower's initial involvement

19. In April 2005 LCC contacted Empower and requested them to locate, purchase and suitably adapt a property to provide accommodation for these three Claimants. The property would have to have four bedrooms (the fourth being for the person providing overnight care and support), level access from outside, off road parking, and comply with all usual fire safety regulations. Several properties were matched as suitable and Empower conducted viewings with Mrs Lenz, Ms Higham and the staff team from CDS. No. 20 was selected as the most suitable property.
20. Empower purchased the property, and arranged for the carrying out of the necessary adaptations, which included the conversion of the garage into a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom (for Mr M). As the development progressed, family members were invited, on 10 August 2005, to view the progress.

(c) Grant of tenancies and housing benefit claims and decisions

21. The keys were handed over by Empower to CDS, and tenancy agreements were signed, on 5 September 2005. During the handover Miss Hill gave information such as the locations of all water, gas and electricity mains and assured the CDS staff that if they had any questions they could contact her directly.
22. The Council received applications for housing benefit on behalf of the three Claimants on 14 September 2005.
23. On 3 November 2005 the rent officer assessed the local reference rent at £52.50 per week in respect of each tenant's accommodation.
24. On 8 November 2005 the Council decided that each of the claimants was entitled to housing benefit at the restricted rate of £52.50 per week from 5 September 2005.
25. On 10 March 2006 the Council made further decisions that each of the claimants was entitled to housing benefit at the same rate from 3 April 2006.
26. On 30 March 2006 the Council received letters of appeal from Mrs. Lenz on behalf of the Claimants, appealing against the amount of housing benefit awarded. Those were accepted by the Council as both late appeals against the decisions of 8 November 2005 and appeals against the decisions of 10 March 2006.
27. On 12 September 2006 the Tribunal, by the decisions which were originally under appeal to me, allowed the Claimants' appeals, holding that the accommodation was "exempt accommodation" on the ground that Empower provided care, support and supervision.
28. By an interim decision made on 1 December 2008, following an oral hearing, I set aside the Tribunal's decisions, and directed that the evidence be reheard before me for the purpose of enabling me to re-make the Tribunal's decisions.

C NOS. 302 AND 302A

(a) The six claimants

29. The documentary material (including, where made available by LCC, the care plans and SS1B Core Assessment Forms drawn up by LCC) reveals the following information in relation to the claimants who live in nos. 302 and 302A.
30. Mr Hugo S is 58. He has severe learning difficulties and no verbal communication. He uses vocal sounds and facial expressions to indicate feelings such as distress. He has very little eyesight. He needs 1:1 support with domestic tasks and personal care, and with moving around the house.
31. Miss Vera C. is 53. She has severe learning difficulties and mobility issues and is partially sighted. She is unable to read or write.
32. Mr F was 61 at the time when he moved to no. 302. He also had severe learning disabilities. He died after moving to no. 302.
33. Mr Robert S. is 61 and has severe learning difficulties and mobility issues.
34. Miss Mary C. is aged 60. She has severe learning disabilities, mobility issues, and is blind.
35. These 5 claimants were previously accommodated in the same supported living property which was unsuitable in that it was too small, and in that the bedrooms had to be accessed by stairs (i.e. they were upstairs, and there was no lift).
36. Miss G is aged 38. She can understand some requests made to her in basic language, but her comprehension is very limited. Staff communicate to her using objects – e.g. keys for going out. She does not communicate verbally, but through gestures, body language, facial expression etc. She has a hemeplagia and can walk short distances but needs a wheelchair for longer trips. She is able to make some decisions and choices for herself. However, she displays severely challenging behaviour such that she requires 2:1 staff support during the day. She requires a lot of support to undertake any household tasks. She cannot have any curtains or blinds put up around her home as she has a tendency to pull them down and rip the material to pieces. Staff also have to remove all the bedding from her bedroom every morning because the same will happen with sheets and duvets.

(b) Empower's initial involvement

37. The first five of the above claimants (i.e. the claimants other than Miss G) had been living for some years in a supported living scheme which had become unsuitable because some of the claimants could not access stairs, some had to share bedrooms, and the property was generally considered too small. Miss G had been living in different accommodation which was considered unsuitable in that it had no sleepover facility, and it was also considered that her behaviour would become less challenging if she had more space.
38. In April 2005 Empower was commissioned by LCC to find a property which, initially, was required to have 7 bedrooms (one for each of the six claimants, and one as a staff sleepover room). It was also required to have level access from outside, a large communal lounge and two bathrooms, one downstairs, and a lift. A property search resulted in no. 302 being the most suitable choice. Owing to Miss G's needs (i.e. I assume her severely challenging behaviour, and need for space) it was decided to amend the scheme to create a self-contained bungalow (no. 302A) for her out of the garage of no. 302. A decision to purchase the property was made in May 2005. In June 2005 Empower, social services, the prospective tenants and their families held a meeting at which special requirements (e.g. mobility bars, locks on cupboards, smoke detectors, CO and heat detectors, certain floor coverings (e.g. non slip in wet areas)) were identified. Empower purchased the property and arranged for the carrying out of the necessary works.
39. A meeting to discuss the special requirements for the separate bungalow (no 302A) to be created for Miss G took place on 24 February 2006, attended by Empower, social services, Miss G and her family, and members of the primary care trust team. Empower arranged for the carrying out of the necessary works.

(c) Grant of tenancies and housing benefit claims and decisions

40. The keys of no.302 were handed over to CDS on 21 November 2005, on which date tenancy agreements were entered into with the 5 tenants of no. 302.
41. The dates of housing benefit applications and decisions were almost identical in respect of each of the 5 tenants of no. 302, save that Miss Vera C.'s claim and decision were made later, for reasons explained below. I take as typical of the other 4 tenants the sequence of events in relation to Mr Hugo S.
42. The Council received a claim for housing benefit on his behalf on 20 February 2006. (The claim requested backdating to 21 November 2005 on the ground that "previous application has been mislaid". There is no evidence in the papers that any award of backdated benefit was made).
43. On 15 March 2006 the rent officer assessed the local reference rent at £52.50 per week.
44. On 17 March 2006 the Council decided that Mr Hugo S was entitled to housing benefit at the rate of £52.50 per week from 6 February 2006.
45. On 2 June 2006 the Council received a letter of appeal, completed and signed by Mrs Lenz on behalf of Mr Hugo S.
46. On 6 June 2006 the Council reconsidered its decision, but did not revise it.
47. In respect of Miss Vera C the housing benefit claim form was not received by the Council until about 17 May 2006. Her claim was delayed because she had an interest in a trust fund which, initially, took her over the capital limits.
48. The Council's decision awarding housing benefit at the restricted rate of £52.50 per week from 15 May 2006 was made on 21 June 2006.
49. On 28 July 2006 the Council received a letter of appeal, completed and signed by Mrs Lenz on behalf of Miss Vera C.
50. On 27 April 2006 the Council received a change of address application form in respect of Miss G.
51. On 28 April 2006 the Council decided that Miss G was entitled to housing benefit in respect of her new home at 302A at the restricted rate of £52.50 per week from 21 April 2006.
52. By an appeal form received by the Council on 28 July 2006, completed and signed by Mrs Lenz, Miss G appealed against the decision of 21 April 2006.
53. On 10 August 2006 the Council reconsidered its decision in respect of Miss G, but did not revise it.
54. The appeals of the tenants of no. 302 (other than Miss Vera C) were heard together by an appeal tribunal on 7 September 2006. The tribunal allowed the appeals, holding that the accommodation was "exempt accommodation" on the ground that Empower itself provided support.
55. The appeals of Miss Vera C and Miss G were heard together by an appeal tribunal on 20 October 2006. That tribunal also allowed the appeals.
56. By interim decisions made on 1 December 2008 I also set aside the tribunals' decisions of 7 September 2006 and 20 October 2006 as wrong in law, and again directed that the evidence be reheard before me in order to enable me to re-make the tribunals' decisions.

D. EMPOWER HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

57. Empower is a company limited by guarantee, established in August 2003, which does not trade for profit. It is not registered with the Tenant Services Authority (which replaced the Housing Corporation for that purpose with effect from 30 November 2008).
58. I have noticed in the course of preparing this decision, although no attention has previously been drawn to it, that there is a difference between the form of the Memorandum of Association which was supplied by Empower to the Council on various occasions down to at least January 2006, and the form which is annexed by Miss Hill to her witness statement signed in 2008. The latter includes an additional object as follows:

"To provide tenants and occupiers who otherwise would be unable to realise and maintain their tenancies with support so that they may live as full a life as possible in a safe and secure manner including provision of general counselling, advisory services, help lines, legal support, DIY services and support on use of equipment, safety measures, use of contractors, security measures, adaptations for disabilities, budget management, neighbourly relationships, moving in and moving out and other support as deemed necessary; and in the case of vulnerable tenants and occupiers receiving care services to monitor the performance of these care services in such a manner as deemed necessary to ensure the wellbeing of those tenants and occupiers."

59. It would appear that the Memorandum of Association was amended at some time after about January 2006, but the precise date of amendment does not appear from the papers. As the objects have throughout included the usual power "to do all such other things as may be deemed incidental or conducive to the attainment of the Company's objects or any of them", I do not think that any point could have been taken by the Council that prior to the amendment Empower had no power to provide support of the nature which it is contended has been provided.
60. It is stated on Empower's website that Empower are

" providers of specialist housing, working closely with partner agencies to provide quality bespoke independent supported living accommodation in the community" and that its "underpinning values" are

Understanding the needs and complexity of independent living with support

Asking opinions and involving everyone in the decision making process to enable choice

Ensuring staff are trained to the highest standard with customers as their main focus

Managing operating costs whilst still putting customers first

Constantly reviewing and improving practices to ensure a quality service

Obtaining customer feedback to review performance levels

61. On the basis of Miss Hill's evidence I make the following findings in relation to Empower's business generally.
62. At the time of the letting of no. 20 in September 2005 Empower had 7 properties with 22 tenants. By the time of the letting of no. 302A in April 2006 Empower had 9 properties (302 and 302A being treated as one for this purpose) and 30 tenants. No.20, and nos. 302 and 302A, are of course both in Chorley. The other properties were situated in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale (all in East Lancashire), Salford and Wolverhampton. Apart from the property in Wolverhampton (about 1½ hours by car from Chorley at peak traffic times), the others were within 45 minutes' drive from Chorley.
63. At this time Empower had 3 full-time employees and one part-time employee, all based in Chorley, all of whom were available to visit properties, although they all had other duties in addition. Andrew Elliott was the business development manager who did the initial setting up of properties and tenancies. Miss Hill was initially an administrator, Simon Carlson was concerned with safety and security and John Ryder was the maintenance manager.
64. By September 2006 Empower had 57 tenants in 20 properties. The property in Wolverhampton was by then still the furthest away, but some of the additional properties were in West Lancashire. Most of them were within 40 minutes' drive. By then there were two full time employees concerned solely with doing PRCs (as to which, see Section M below), other visits to properties, and tenant liaison and support, both based in Chorley. [Day 2, 122-140].
65. Empower currently has a stock of some 53 houses with 156 tenants, and 3 full-time Housing and Tenant Support Officers. Annexed to Miss Hill's witness statement is a job description for her post of senior benefit, housing and tenant support officers. It can be summarised as being to manage Empower's properties and tenancies, and the other housing and tenant support officers, and provide support to the tenants.
66. Miss Hill, who was the only Empower witness to give evidence before me, was originally employed by Empower in an administrative role before progressing to her current role. She has completed several training courses including the Chartered Institute of Housing Level 3 National Certificate in Housing. She has also attended numerous tuition days covering supported housing, benefits, legislation and Housing Act Regulations.

E. CHORLEY DOMICILIARY SERVICE

67. On the basis of the evidence of Mrs Susan Lenz, senior team manager for CDS, I find the following facts in relation to CDS.
68. CDS is a service provided by LCC; its staff are employees of LCC. It provides domiciliary support to adults with learning disabilities who are tenants in their own homes in the Chorley area. Support can be offered on a 24 hour or outreach basis, depending on the assessed needs of the individual.
69. CDS currently provides support to about 48 tenants, in 16 properties. There are three or four other landlords, in addition to Empower, for whose tenants CDS provides care and support.
70. CDS has managers in a central office, including a 24 hour on call manager [see e.g. Yellow 15, p.6].

F. THE TENANCY AGREEMENTS

71. Each Claimant entered into a tenancy agreement with Empower in Empower's standard form. The rent payable was stated as being a total of £199.15 per week in the case of no. 20 and £199.77 per week in the case of nos. 302 and 302A. That total was broken down, in the Agreements, into £192.30 (£192.93 in respect of nos. 302 and 302A) per week in respect of "net rent" and £6.84 per week in respect of "Service Charge".
72. There is in the files (see, for example, [no. 302 p.126]) a more detailed breakdown showing how both the "net rent" and "service charge" elements were calculated. The net rent includes (in the case of no. 302, for example) sums of £129.87 for "loan/lease" (i.e. presumably the cost of servicing the loan taken out by Empower in order to purchase and develop the property), £17.25 for maintenance, £4.73 for decorating and £12.19 for "housing management." The service charges are broken down into £3.16 for gardening, £1.33 for window cleaning and £1.73 for fire equipment.
73. The standard form tenancy agreement (a full copy of which is to be found at [no. 20 p. 55]) grants to the tenant an assured weekly tenancy of "the Premises" "which comprises sole use of bedroom, shared use of lounge, dining room, kitchen and bathroom." The Agreement then defines "Premises" as meaning "the dwelling including fixtures and fittings, and the garden, paths, hedges or fences owned by [Empower] which are the subject of the Tenancy."
74. It recites that "by entering into this Agreement the Tenant agrees to accept all support provided on behalf of the Landlord by their nominated partner agency. The support provided will be of a nature specific to the tenant's needs to enable them to continue to occupy the Premises."
75. By Clause 1.5 it is provided that "[Empower] will provide the following services in connection with the Premises for which you will pay a Service Charge in addition to the Net Rent, as stated in Clause 1.1: Gardening, Fire Equipment and Window Cleaning.
76. By Clause 2 Empower agrees (so far as material) as follows:

"2.6 To keep in good repair the structure and exterior of the Premises

2.7 To take reasonable care to keep in repair and proper working order any common entrances, halls, stairways, lifts, passageways, rubbish chutes and any other common parts including electric lighting."

2.8 To keep in good repair and working order any installations provided for space heating, water, heating and sanitation and for the supply of water, gas and electricity …"

2.10 To keep the exterior of the Premises including any common parts in good state of decoration."

77. By Clause 3 the tenant agrees (so far as material) as follows:

"3.5 To keep the Premises in good repair and condition.

3.13 To decorate all internal parts of the dwelling as frequently as is necessary to keep them in good decorative order

3.14 That if the dwelling has a garden you will keep and maintain it in a reasonably tidy condition …………."

3.19 To be responsible for the replacement or cost of any damage or neglect to fixtures and fittings howsoever caused ….."

G. THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

78. In respect of each of no. 20 and no. 302 LCC and Empower entered into an agreement in standard form (referred to by Miss Hill in her evidence as the "management agreement", although that title is rather misleading). The standard form appears to have been drafted in September 2005 (see date in bottom left hand corner of each page.) The dates of signature are not shown on the Agreements, but I assume that they were signed at or about the times when the location of the properties had been agreed and it was agreed that Empower would purchase and adapt them. No separate agreement appears to have been entered into in respect of no. 302A. That seems to have been because at the time when no. 302 was found it was not contemplated that 302A would be created as a separate unit of accommodation. Thus, the front sheet of the Agreement relating to no. 302 states that it is to be for a maximum of 6 occupants.
79. The agreement defines LCC as "the Commissioning Body" and Empower as "the Provider", and contains the following material provisions.

(1) It remains in force for a term of 15 years, subject to provisions for earlier termination;

(2) LCC is given the right to nominate tenants to vacancies;

(3) LCC is required to pay the rent in respect of any void periods (save the first 14 days);

(4) By Clause 3.2 Empower is to provide the Services (defined as the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to be provided under any relevant tenancy agreements) in respect of the living units in the Premises;

(5) By Clause 8 Empower is at its own cost at all times to observe and perform all requirements of the common law and all statutory requirements;

(6) The parties are to meet at least once a year to discuss (inter alia) the standard of the services and the living units, and any suggested improvements;

(7) LCC is entitled to terminate the agreement after a minimum period of 2 years, but if it does so and if the property is then sold by Empower then LCC is required to pay to Empower the difference between the net sale proceeds and the total of the cost incurred by Empower in purchasing and developing the property, plus a "management cost". These costs are specified on the front page of the agreement. (In respect of no. 302, for example, the cost of development was £113,000, the cost of acquisition £278,000, and the Management cost £19,555).

(8) Clause 18 of the Agreement (headed "Care and Support") is as follows:

"18.1 The Provider and the Commissioner shall be responsible for the provision of appropriate Care and/or Support to the individual Tenants based on assessments carried out by the Commissioner. The Care and/or Support must enable the Tenant to take up and maintain their tenancy at the Premises.

18.2 The Commissioner shall provide the Care and/or Support referred to in Clause 18.1 above on behalf of itself and the Provider."

I should state, for the avoidance of doubt, that although the Agreement contains in clause 1 a large number of definitions, and although the words "Care" and "Support" have a capital "c" and capital "s" throughout Clause 18, they are not among the expressions defined in Clause 1.

(9) By Clause 19:

"This Contract shall not be interpreted as constituting a partnership between the parties nor as constituting any agency between the parties or as otherwise entitling any party to bind the other for any purpose."

80. Contrary to the impression given by pp.5-6 of Miss Hill's witness statement, the Management Agreement does not expressly require Empower to report to LCC anything which it may find unsatisfactory when it inspects a property.

H. HOUSING RELATED SUPPORT:THE STATUTORY CONTEXT

81. I refer to Section B of my decision in CH/779/2007 and other cases ("the Golden Lane cases") for a summary of the general position in relation to the financing of housing related support.
82. It should be noted, in particular, that since April 2003 charges made by a landlord for general counselling or any other support services have not been eligible for housing benefit. It is not contended by Empower in the present case that any of the rent is attributable to charges in respect of support provided to the tenants. (If it were, that part would in any event not be eligible for housing benefit). Empower's contention must therefore be, it seems to me, that the support which it contends that it provides to its tenants is provided gratuitously.
83. It is clear from the evidence that LCC "commissioned" CDS to provide 24 hour care and support to each of the Claimants. Mr Ennals asserts as follows in para. 8 of his final written submission:

"From the evidence of the care plans, and from Susan Lenz herself, it was clear that CDS provide personal care and domestic assistance, and do not provide the sort of housing related support she refers to in her statement, and was described at length by Miss Hill."

84. However, I think that is clear from the e-mail dated 8 February 2006 from Mr Crabtree, the "Integrated Commissioning Manager" for Chorley and South Ribble, to Julie Riding of the Council [no. 302 p.133] that CDS have in effect been allocated a substantial amount of "Supporting People" funding in order to provide housing related support. Mr Crabtree said:

"I need to be clear that [Empower] does not provide any care support to this scheme. LCC provide the Care support and housing support on behalf of [Empower].

The landlord does not provide the direct care support.

If the commissioner in this case (The Chorley & South Ribble Integrated Commissioning Board) removed the support we would expect Empower to step in and provide the housing related support only in the short term to maintain the tenancy as they have a responsibility to provide this. We would not expect them to provide care support. I have to say that this would never happen as we have a statutory response to provide this support.

It is extremely difficult to split this down between housing and care related support as a percentage. The maximum Supporting People provide currently is 20 hours although I am aware that other authorities offer 26 hours housing related support."

85. In my judgment that is confirmation that LCC regards itself as having a statutory obligation to ensure that the Claimants in these appeals are provided with such housing related support as they reasonably require in order to enable them to live in the properties. It is true that Mr Crabtree also stated, in a subsequent letter to Empower dated 6 September 2006 [no. 302A p.140], that Empower "actually does provide a substantial amount of care and supervision to the tenants." However, that is not inconsistent with the position being that LCC is statutorily bound to provide the necessary housing support. In Mrs Lenz's witness statement she states that the help which she says Empower gives in completing housing benefit claim forms and arranging contractors is of assistance because the forms are "time consuming" and Empower are "more up to date with housing benefit requirements" and because the fact that Empower arrange contractors "takes the pressure off the [tenant] and staff in finding workmen …" That is in my judgment further confirmation that if Empower did not assist in the ways she mentions, CDS or LCC would have to do that work themselves.

I. ISSUE 1: DOES LCC PROVIDE SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF EMPOWER?

86. Mr Ennals' first contention (see para.3 above) is that the housing related support which LCC provides (through CDS) is provided on behalf of Empower.
87. Mr Ennals seeks to distinguish my decision in R(H) 2/07 by reason of the terms of the Management Agreements entered into in the present case, and in particular Clause 18 (see Section G above).
88. In my judgment the Management Agreements do not assist him. I cannot see how Clause 18 can be of any legal effect. Clause 18.1 purports to require Empower and LCC (who are the only parties to the Agreement) to be responsible for the provision of the appropriate care and support. However, it does not purport to apportion responsibility between them, and therefore seems to me to be entirely meaningless. In particular, I cannot see how it can have the effect that Empower is contractually obliged to LCC to provide any particular support to the tenants. I do not read the words "based on assessments carried out by the Commissioner" in Clause 18.1 as entitling LCC to decide what care and support must be provided by Empower, and what by itself – i.e. to make an apportionment. As I read it, the "assessments" referred to are assessments by LCC, pursuant to its statutory duty, of the overall amount of care and support which each tenant requires. They are not intended to be assessments apportioning responsibility for providing that care and support as between Empower and LCC. In any event, it has not been suggested to me that any apportionment has purportedly been made by LCC pursuant to Clause 18.1.
89. Clause 18.2 states that the LCC shall provide the care and/or support referred to in Clause 18.1 "on behalf of itself and [Empower]." In my judgment that provision is so at variance with the reality of the situation that it must simply be ignored (cf. para. 32 of R(H) 2/07). In particular, it is absurd to suggest that the parties really intended that the personal care provided by LCC was intended to be provided on behalf of Empower. Empower had no contractual or statutory duty to provide personal care, and in my view probably no power in its Memorandum of Association to provide it.
90. Nor in my judgment does Mr Ennals gain any assistance from the recital in the tenancy agreements which I set out in para. 74 above. That states merely that the tenant "agrees to accept all support provided on behalf of the landlord by their nominated partner agency". The tenancy agreement imposes no obligation on Empower to provide support. It merely purports to oblige the tenant to accept such support as may be provided on behalf of Empower by the "nominated partner agency" (i.e. presumably in these cases LCC). That does not in my judgment assist in determining whether any, and if so which, of the support which LCC provides is provided on behalf of Empower.
91. However, that provision is in my judgment of potential significance in that it does not appear to contemplate the possibility of support being provided directly by Empower. It contemplates only the possibility that support will be provided by the nominated partner agency.
92. In my judgment none of the care, supervision and support provided by LCC (through CDS) was provided on behalf of Empower, within the meaning of the definition of "exempt accommodation". Empower had no contractual or statutory duty to provide it, and did not engage LCC or CDS to provide it. No part of the rent was attributable to charges for housing related support.
93. There is before the Administrative Court an application for judicial review (permission to bring the application having been granted by the Court) of a decision in which I refused permission to appeal to a Social Security Commissioner against a decision of an appeal tribunal which applied R(H) 2/07. The facts involved the same landlord (Rivendell Lake Housing Association Limited) as had been the landlord in R(H) 2/07, but different properties and tenants. One issue in the judicial review proceedings will be whether my decision in R(H) 2/07 was correct.
94. Permission to bring the judicial review proceedings in that case was granted by the Administrative Court about a month before the hearing of these appeals before me. The Upper Tribunal Office wrote to the parties' representatives, at my request, requesting them to indicate whether they wished to proceed with the hearing, or to have it adjourned pending the outcome of the judicial review proceedings. Both sides wished to proceed with the hearing. In those circumstances the only course of action which I can sensibly adopt is simply to proceed on the footing that R(H) 2/07 was correctly decided.

J. ISSUE 2: DID EMPOWER PROVIDE THE CLAIMANTS WITH SUPPORT?

95. I therefore turn in the remainder of this decision to consider Mr Ennals' second contention, namely that at the material times Empower (either through its own employees, or by contractors engaged by it) provided support to the Claimants, within the meaning of the definition of "exempt accommodation."

K. THE MEANING OF "PROVIDES THE CLAIMANT WITH ….. SUPPORT."

96. I refer to and incorporate in this decision Section C of my decision in the Golden Lane case. As regards paragraphs 27 and 28 of that decision, the position in the present appeals is in summary that the periods with which I am directly concerned are the following:

In respect of no. 20: 5 September 2005 to 10 March 2006

In respect of no. 302

(save Miss Vera C): approximately 6 February 2006

to 17 March 2006

In respect of Miss Vera C: 15 May 2006 to 21 June 2006

In respect of no. 302A (Miss G): 21 April 2006 to 28 April 2006.

97. Looked at overall, I am therefore directly concerned with a period from the beginning of September 2005 to about the middle of June 2006. Those periods are in each case short periods which began either at the commencement or fairly soon after the commencement of the tenancies. There is therefore no (or virtually no) past history to look at, at any rate in relation to these schemes. In those circumstances the question is in my judgment what support it was at the relevant times contemplated that Empower would provide, either because Empower was contractually obliged to provide it, or because it intended to provide it. In determining what support Empower intended to provide, it is relevant to look at support subsequently provided or made available unless there is evidence that Empower had changed its practice (i.e. by seeking to increase the amount of support which it provided) after the end of the directly relevant period.

L. MY APPROACH TO THE EVIDENCE

98. Miss Hill's witness statement sets out a description, under a number of headings, of the support which it is contended Empower provides, both in these schemes and other scheme, with specific examples of that support being given in some cases. In relation to these schemes a substantial amount of documentary evidence has been provided in order to substantiate the examples.
99. The approach on behalf of the Council has been to argue, in relation to each heading of alleged support, that Empower's evidence does not show that "support", within the meaning of the definition of "exempt accommodation", has been provided to more than a minimal extent, for one or more of a number of reasons:

(1) Empower has not established that the alleged item of assistance has in fact been provided;

(2) The alleged item of assistance was part of the setting up of the scheme, and therefore did not have the necessary element of continuity to qualify as support provided during the tenancy (see para. 26 of my decision in the Golden Lane case).

(3) The alleged item of assistance did not go beyond ordinary housing management (see para. 25 of the Golden Lane decision).

(4) The alleged item of assistance was carried out in Empower's own financial interest.

(5) The alleged item of assistance was of no benefit, or only minimal benefit, to the tenants, either (i) because it was carried out very infrequently or (ii) it was required to be or was in fact already provided by LCC (through CDS) or (iii) it was of no or very little practical assistance to the tenants.

100. I have decided that it is not helpful to consider the examples given by Miss Hill from other schemes, for three reasons. First, there is in my judgment sufficient evidence from these schemes to draw conclusions as to what support from Empower was available. Secondly, the examples from other schemes were not backed up with any documentary evidence. Thirdly, examples of support alleged to have been provided at other schemes are of less significance because it does not necessarily follow that support of that nature was available at these schemes.
101. I propose to make my findings by considering in turn each of the categories of support said to have been provided by Empower. However, it is helpful first to make some findings about the methods by which some of that support is said to have been provided – i.e. as to frequency and nature of visits to and inspections of the properties by Empower, and the availability of support by telephone – and as to Empower's records.

M. VISITS/INSPECTIONS, TELEPHONE SERVICE AND COMPUTER RECORDS

Visits/inspections

102. Ms Hill's evidence was as follows. When Empower began its operations formal visits (initially called "scheme review visits" and later "performance review checks" – I shall refer to them as "PRCs") were carried out once a year, which later became every six months, and then every three months. The reason for the increase in frequency was that it was found that the needs of the tenants were changing so frequently. Most landlords would carry out these sort of checks about once every 5 years. [Day 1 p.52; Day 2 p.81]. From about 2005 inspections relating to safety and security were carried out, initially at visits separate from the PRCs, but it became apparent that this would result in too many visits, causing disruption to the tenants, and it later became the practice to "build them in to" the PRCs. [Day 1 p.81]
103. Miss Hill's evidence was further that less formal visits were made between PRCs, but that it was not in 2006 and 2007 Empower's practice to record these other visits [Day 2, pp59-62; Day 2 pp.80-1]. She said the longest period which could in practice elapse without someone from Empower going to a property would be 3 months: [Day 2 p.79]. In particular, she said that it would not have been a year before she visited tenants at no. 20 [Day 2 p.62].
104. The documents show that the first PRCs were carried out in August 2006 in respect of nos. 20 and 302 (i.e. about 11 and 9 months respectively after the grant of the tenancies). The next PRCs in respect of those properties were in June 2007, when the first PRC in respect of no. 302A was carried out (i.e. some 14 months after the grant of that tenancy). From September 2007 PRCs were carried out in respect of all properties at roughly quarterly intervals.
105. The documents further show that separate (i.e. separate from the PRCs) security and safety inspections were carried out in September/October 2006, and again in October 2007, in respect of each property, but not thereafter. The standard PRC form included from the beginning some questions about health and safety [e.g. Green 5, p.237]. From about July 2008 some questions about safety support and security support were added to the standard PRC form [e.g. Green 12, p.306], presumably in consequence of the intention to cease carrying out separate safety and security inspections. The PRC forms also underwent some other changes over time. For the purpose of this decision I take as representative of the PRC form current as at the period which I am considering that which appears at [Green 5 p.232], dated June 2007.
106. In material sent to one of the appeal tribunals on behalf of the Claimants in September 2006, and emanating from Empower, it was stated that Empower carry out PRCs, and safety and security inspections, every 6 months [no. 302 pp.160-2].
107. On the basis of the above evidence I find that Empower's practice at the times directly material to these appeals was (i) to carry out PRCs at approximately annual intervals and (ii) to carry out separate safety and security inspections at annual intervals. The practice of carrying out quarterly PRCs did not in my judgment start until about September 2007. I further find that it is likely that there were some visits to properties other than on the occasion of PRCs.

Telephone service

108. I accept Ms Hill's evidence that staff of Empower have been available to be contacted by telephone by tenants or care staff, outside of office hours (i.e. on a 24 hour basis) if necessary. Until May 2006 this was by the mobile numbers of the Empower staff being made available, and since then there has been a more formal system whereby the caller can simply ring the office number, which diverts out of office hours to a person on call, or can ring a dedicated mobile number. However, none of the Claimants are capable of using a telephone, and calls would therefore have had to be made by care staff [Day 1 p.56; Day 2 p.44 onwards; Day 2 p.97]
109. The mere existence of the facility to contact Empower staff on a 24 hour basis does not of course amount to the provision of "support", because that facility would be necessary in relation to matters of ordinary housing management, such as emergency repairs. Miss Hill's evidence is that it is available in relation to matters other than repairs, but I do not think that any specific example has been given, in relation to these schemes, where the care staff have telephoned in relation to matters other than ordinary housing management. Indeed, if Miss Hill's computer entries (made after the event – see below) are accepted as accurate, she found it necessary at a PRC in August 2006 to check "if tenants appointee were aware of our 24 hour helpline" [Day Green 15 p.378] and at PRCs in June 2007 to tell the care staff that the 24 hour telephone service was available for matters other than repairs (Yellow 15, p.8; Pink 13, p.19]. However, I do accept that Empower can be contacted by telephone (including outside office hours if the matter is so urgent that it cannot wait until the office next opens) by care staff in relation to any matter which they may need Empower's assistance with.

Computer records

110. Miss Hill stated in her witness statement that "we also have a comprehensive computer system designed to record the support which we offer to ensure that all staff are aware of changes and needs of all tenants." That may have been literally correct at the time when the statement was made, but is somewhat misleading in the context of the times relevant to these proceedings. It is clear from the computer entries in evidence in relation to the three properties, and from Miss Hill's oral evidence [Day 1 p.84; Day 2 p.144], that this computer system for recording significant events in relation to each property did not exist until about October 2007 (see the "entry dates" in the last coloured tab relating to each property). There are entries on the computer relating to events well before that – going back to 2005 in fact – but they were made by Miss Hill in or after October 2007, by reference to Empower's paper records. Before about October 2007 Empower did not have a system for recording all significant action in relation to each property. I accept Miss Hill's evidence that before about October 2007 Empower was not in the habit of recording all calls received from or made to the care staff, or even all visits made [Day 1 p.46].

N. THE CATEGORIES OF SUPPORT SAID BY EMPOWER TO HAVE BEEN PROVIDED

(a) Assistance with housing benefit claims

111. The housing benefit claim forms were signed on the Claimants' behalves by employees of LCC, in some cases describing themselves as "appointee". However, it is Mr Parkinson's evidence, and I accept, that LCC were not appointed by the Council as appointee of any of the Claimants for the purpose of claiming housing benefit.
112. Miss Hill said in her witness statement that Empower work closely with care providers and tenants to ensure that claim forms are fully completed prior to submission, including obtaining all evidence such as signed tenancy agreements, details of adaptations, full rental breakdown and other necessary information. The procedure for submitting claims can include visiting families to collect information. "We will then complete the application in full and ensure it is signed by the family member of the tenant (if able)."
113. In her oral evidence, however, Miss Hill said that she did not deal with the initial housing benefit claims in these cases, but that her understanding (from a former Empower employee) was that the forms were completed by Empower in relation to the information which they were able to insert, and then by the care providers in relation to the rest. [Day 1 pp.61,106, 139].
114. In view of Miss Hill's lack of actual knowledge of the position, I do not find that it is established, on a balance of probability, that Empower gave any substantial assistance with the completion of the initial housing benefit claim forms in respect of any of the Claimants, or with completion of any subsequent review forms which there may have been. The only case in which Miss Hill was able to state the position from her own knowledge was in relation to the claim by Miss Vera C, a tenant of no. 302, whose claim was submitted at a later date than the claims of the other tenants of that property because she was the beneficiary of a trust fund which for a time would have prevented a claim from succeeding. I accept Miss Hill's evidence [p.11 of her statement] that she "worked with" Caroline Dale, the house manager of no. 302, to determine the level of savings that Miss Vera C could have without debarring her from entitlement. However, I do not think that this assistance can have amounted to very much. It is hardly difficult to find out what the capital limit is. I note that when the Council wrote to Miss Vera C. at no. 302 with queries about the housing benefit claim, the queries being in respect of pension credit, and her savings, it was Caroline Dale who telephoned the Council. [Miss Vera C's appeal file, pp.66-8].
115. However, I find that as a general matter Empower is willing to assist in relation to housing benefit claims, particularly with any matters within their particular knowledge, whether arising at the time of completion of the initial claim forms or subsequently. For example, in relation to the new tenant (Mr T) who replaced Mr F on his death, Empower did liaise with the house manager (Ms Higham) and completed the claim form, and then sent it to Ms Higham's office for signature [Green 15, p.21]. I refer also to the second paragraph on the second page of the witness statement of Mrs Lenz, where she acknowledges that assistance by Empower with housing benefit claim forms is useful because Empower are more up to date with housing benefit requirements, and if CDS complete the forms it takes time away from supporting individuals.
116. However, in my view any assistance with making the initial claim for housing benefit is part of the setting up of the scheme, and so does not fall within the words "provides support." Further, I consider that a landlord letting to non-disabled tenants would assist to a reasonable degree with housing benefit claims in relation to matters peculiarly within its knowledge (such as the issue arising in the present case, and issues relating to the breakdown of rent, etc.).
117. Since the commencement of the tenancy Empower has of course provided very considerable assistance in relation to the issue of "exempt accommodation" which arises in these appeals. It has provided direct assistance by means of the very considerable time and effort expended by Miss Hill and others, and has also supplied the legal representation of the Claimants by Mr Ennals. However, I do not think that the Claimants can pray that in aid, for two reasons.
118. First, that support has gone substantially beyond anything which in my view could reasonably have bee in contemplation at the times (September 2005 to April 2006) at which I am, strictly, considering the position. I see no evidence that it was contemplated, prior to the adverse decisions made in these cases, that adverse decisions would or might be made and that it would be necessary to take the cases to a tribunal and beyond. In a letter to the Council dated 23 March 2006 in relation to no. 20, for example, CDS stated: "[the Claimant] has always lived in a supported housing situation and we have not had any problems before." [no. 20 p.102]. Secondly, I refer to and adopt what I have said on this point in para. 92 of my decisions in CH/150/2007 and other cases ("the Care Housing Association cases").
119. In summary, I find that Empower is willing to assist with housing benefit claims, whether at the time of the initial claim or subsequently, to an extent which perhaps goes beyond ordinary housing management in that it is prepared to fill in claim forms and deal with matters other than property related matters within its own special knowledge. However, such assistance has hardly been necessary, and in any event is available from CDS.

(b) Assistance with other benefits.

120. I accept Miss Hill's evidence that in January 2006 Empower gave some assistance in connection with the claiming of the severe mental impairment discount for council tax in relation to the tenants of no. 302. That assistance consisted of requesting the necessary forms from the Council, and then sending them to Caroline Dale, the house manager of no. 302, who filled them in. [Day 1 pp.140-142]. This assistance was in my judgment not "support" for the purpose of the definition, because it was in connection with the setting up of the scheme.

(c) Arranging contractors for work

121. Empower contends that it is willing to arrange for work to be carried out even when it is not contractually liable to carry out that work. The following categories of work are mentioned in Miss Hill's witness statement. First, works which amount to an improvement to the property, usually in order to adapt it in order to take account of the tenant's disability. Secondly, repair or maintenance work which is not Empower's responsibility under the tenancy agreement. Empower's repairing and maintenance obligations are extensive, and I think that the only works which could fall within this category are (i) repair and redecoration of the tenant's own room and (ii) repair of damage caused by the tenant or the care staff, other than through ordinary wear and tear. Thirdly, what Miss Hill refers to in her statement (p.12) as "small domestic jobs such TV aerials, coat hooks, boxing in of pipes, carpet fitting/refitting, advice on flooring etc." In oral evidence [Day 1 p.63] Miss Hill also mentioned assembling of flat pack furniture as an example.
122. Miss Hill's evidence (witness statement, p.13) was as follows in relation to the DIY jobs, although I think that her evidence is the same in relation to all works which Empower arranges to have carried out:

"We offer the services of reputable contractors to complete the works under our supervision and ensure they will carry out the works ….We ensure that the works are post inspected and that we are happy with the standard of works carried out …… We have had DIY works carried out at these properties we have arranged contractors, confirmed dates and times of arrival, confirmed costs, recorded details in case of future queries and also to monitor re-occurrence of works and inspected prior to payment.

123. With his final written submissions Mr Ennals provided lists of the works which Empower had arranged to be carried out in relation to each property, and which he contended amounted to the provision of support. Of those, I find that since the grant of the tenancies Empower has arranged for the following to be carried out. Save where otherwise stated, I find that these were in the nature of improvements which Empower was not contractually responsible to carry out.

No. 20

•    Additional lighting to the front access was installed by Empower at its expense at some time after September 2006 [Pink 2 p.621 – security inspection September 2006; Day 1 p.90]. It appears that this may have been considered desirable owing to the fact that one of the tenants used a mobility vehicle [Day 1 p.90].

•    At some time after December 2007 some loose flagstones in the driveway were secured by Empower's own maintenance manager. It is not clear whether it was necessary only because of Miss P and Miss M.G's mobility problems, or whether it would have been regarded as out of repair (and therefore Empower's responsibility) whatever the nature of the tenants. [Pink 7, p.662; Pink 8, p.666; Day 1 p.92]. It appears that there was some delay in carrying out this work: [Pink 9, p.685]

•    Miss Hill states on p.14 of her witness statement that there was a concern regarding use of the ramp because two of the tenants had become unsteady on their feet so it was decided to extend the width of the ramp to eliminate any trips of falls on uneven surfaces. I have not been able to find any confirmation in the documentary evidence that this work was done, but I nevertheless accept Miss Hill's evidence.

•    Security inspection dated Sept 06 refers to "covers fitted to all radiators". [Pink 3 p.624]. This was in order to prevent the tenants burning themselves on the radiators.

•    Between June and September 2007 "stable doors" were erected in the kitchen, at the tenants' expense: [Pink 5 p.641; Pink 13, p.758, 792; Day 1 pp79; 114-5; Day 2 p.142].

•    Empower arranged and paid for the dining room floor to be replaced by "wet" flooring between September and December 2007. The existing flooring had become ripped and torn [Pink 5 p.651; Pink 8 p.665; Pink 13, p. 757;Day 1 p.91]. It may well have been Empower's obligation to repair the flooring, although there are suggestions [Day 1 p.91] that it only became damaged owing to the particular manner in which the disabled tenants used it.

•    In or after October 2008 the bathroom was changed to a flat floor shower (wet room), in order to assist Miss M.G's changing needs following her hysterectomy [Day 1 p. 33,114; Pink 13 p.815]. According to Mrs. Lenz Empower paid [Day 1 p.33].

•    At some time after September 2007 Miss M.G's patio door was replaced with a plastic one: Pink 5, p.651. It is unclear whether this was anything more than a repair item, or who paid.

•    At some time after September 2007 a catch was added to a gate in order to prevent the tenants absconding. This had been identified as necessary a year earlier. [Pink 5, p.651; pink 13, p.756; Pink 2, p.621].

•    At some time after September 2007 a sensor light was fitted at the side of the property in order to make the staff feel more secure [Pink 13, p.756]. However, this may well have been no more than ordinary property management, as any action rendering burglaries less likely would clearly have been in Empower's interests as owner of the property (cf. para. 158 below).

Mr Ennals' schedule also contends that handrails were added. I have not been able to find any evidence that this was so, and so do not find that this was done in respect of this property, although it is possible that I have missed the evidence.

No. 302

•    From the time when Miss G moved into 302A the fencing was arranged in such a way that only she had access to the garden, whereas it had been intended that the tenants of 302 should also have access. From the date of the first PRC in August 2006 down to at least October 2007 consideration was given by Empower to this problem, and the fencing and gates were eventually re-arranged to enable the tenants of 302 to have access. In Miss Hill's words: "we had to take down the end fence and put in two wider gates and it's slightly raised on one side for the entrance to the garden so a handrail had to be put on [Miss G's] side and then it was resurfaced on the opposite side for the tenants." [Day 1 p.77; Green pp.207, 208, 214, 234, 246].

In my judgment it must be very arguable that Empower was contractually obliged to the tenants of no. 302 to carry out work of this nature in order to enable them to have unimpeded access to the garden, with the result that it did not involve doing more than an ordinary landlord would do in the management of its property.

•    At some time after September 2006 radiator covers were fitted in order to ensure that tenants would not burn themselves when using the radiators to hold on to as they move around the property. [Day 1, p.115; Green 3 p.226]

•    In April 2007 a shower screen was inserted in the shower room in order to ensure that the person showering could not be seen if someone walked past when the door was open. [Day 1, p.120]

•    In about August 2007 the staff bedroom on the ground floor and the laundry room on the first floor were switched in order to enable the care provider to hear the tenants more easily during the night. This involved associated plumbing and electrical works. [Day 1 p.75; Green pp. 211, 214, 269, 387].

•    In or shortly before September 2007 the bath was turned round so that the taps were at the other end, with associated plumbing works. [Day 1 p.122; Day 2 pp.14-15; Green pp.247; 382].

•    In May 2006 LCC requested permission to instal heaters/air conditioning in the conservatory, which Empower gave. At that time it was envisaged that LCC would arrange for the work to be done. In fact Empower eventually arranged for this work to be done in the first half of 2008. [Day 1 p.146; Green 203, 204, 214, 316, 354].

•    In December 2007 the possibility of adding a stair lift for the replacement tenant was considered, but was never in fact done because the property has a lift [Day 1, p.81; Green 9 p.272]

•    Locks were fitted to gates to prevent the tenants absconding [Ms Hill statement p.12]. It is not clear when this was done – may have been part of set up.

302A

•    The issue of fencing in the garden was resolved (see above in relation to no. 302).

•    Consideration was given to replacing steps outside the back door, leading to the garden, with a ramp. In the end it was decided to add a handrail instead. Occupational therapists identified in July 2006 that Miss G needed hand wall to floor hand rails on either side of the step leading from the rear door to the garden, but Empower advised that there were no funds to carry out such work, no housing benefit being in payment at that time [Yellow 7, p.470; Day 2 pp.112 onwards]. Miss Hill's evidence was that Empower did not get the work done when housing benefit payments did start because they did not know that it was still needed [Day 2 p.117]. Empower noted at the safety inspection in October 2006 [Yellow 2, p.441] and at the PRCs in June and September 2007 [Yellow 1, p.426; Yellow 4, p.456] that either a handrail or a ramp was necessary. On 17 October 2007 the NHS Trust occupational therapy service noted that Miss G still urgently needed wall to floor rails [Yellow 7, p.470], and as a result LCC wrote to Empower enclosing the OT's recommendation. On 2 November 2007 Empower replied stating that "we are currently in the process of arranging the adaptations." Miss Hill's evidence was that Empower had in fact already decided, before October 2007, to do the work. Empower did not provide the rail, but did pay for it to be fitted.[Day 1 p.88] It appears that Empower was not aware, in the period between October 2006 and June 2007, whether any action in relation to handrails or other measures was still necessary in order to enable Miss G to use the step safely. Further, I find that this work was not in fact carried out until some time after the PRC in December 2007 [see Yellow 9 pp. 482-3, which refers to the handrails as being still outstanding]. Further, it appears that one reason for this work being done was that Miss G had been leaning on the window will then using the step, thus making the window sill loose [Yellow 9, p.483].

•    "Stable" like doors were fitted in the kitchen, in order to enable the tenants to see what was going on in the kitchen, but without the risk of them harming themselves in the kitchen area. (Day 1, p.79;114-5). Empower both arranged and paid for the carrying out of this work.

•    Empower arranged for a film to be inserted on the conservatory windows so that Miss G could not be seen from the pub – she had a tendency to take her clothes off in the conservatory [Yellow 2, p.435; Day 1 pp. 85; 122]. This was done in April 2007. It in fact turned out to be unsuccessful, although I would not regard that as significant – what is significant is that Empower were assisting in attempting to remedy the problem.

•    Just after Miss G moved in longer taps were fitted [Day 1 p.123]. I would regard that as part of the setting up of the project.

•    At some time after September 2006 radiator covers were added in the kitchen, the sensory room and the conservatory, as in no. 302 [Day 1 p. 87, 123]

•    When Miss G moved in no. 302A was very sparsely decorated, owing to the risk of her damaging it. However, because her behaviour improved Empower was able, towards the end of 2008, to introduce things such as light fittings and wallpaper. Empower did this outside its normal redecoration schedule: shared parts are normally redecorated every 5 years. Miss G paid for the materials and Empower paid the contractors to do the work. [Yellow 14, p.517;Day 1 p.89]. It seems to me that this was work which would normally have been done prior to the commencement of the tenancy, but which was simply delayed in order to see whether it would be worth doing it.

•    A bathroom floor was relaid [Day 1, p.38]. According to Mrs. Lenz's evidence [Day 1 p.41] this was done either before or just after Miss G moved in. In my judgment this has to be treated as part of the setting up of the scheme.

124. I also accept that Empower has probably from time to time itself (i.e. by one of its own employees) carried out, or arranged for contractors to carry out, small maintenance jobs for which it may not have been strictly responsible. For example, there is evidence that Empower changed light bulbs at no. 302A – these were special lights with covers over which the average person could not easily change [Day 1 p.96], and on 9 July 2007 an invoice was sent by Empower to no. 20 for the supply and fitting of door hooks to the kitchen and main bathroom [Pink 13 p.39]. I accept that, in view of the fact that Empower was not before about October 2007 in the habit of recording all significant events in relation to its properties, there will probably have been other examples of this nature which were not recorded. It would be consistent with the generally supportive nature shown by Empower for it to have carried out such works.
125. In summary, therefore, looking at the works which Empower has arranged to be carried out in the (roughly) 3 years since the tenancies commenced, and taking a very broad view, including allowing for some minor items which were probably not recorded, it looks as though during that period Empower has arranged for some 5 to 10 items of work, for which it was not contractually responsible, to be carried out in relation to each property. Most of those have been small maintenance type items, although some have been more substantial (e.g. the changing of the bathroom to a shower in no. 20, and the switching of the staff bedroom and the laundry room in no. 302). Many of these items have been adaptations to take into account the tenants' disabilities.
126. The assistance provided by Empower in relation to works for which it is not contractually responsible does not generally extend to paying for the works. If funds are not available from elsewhere, the work may well not be carried out, as the evidence in relation to the handrails at no. 302A shows (see above).
127. It would of course have been possible for the care staff, or more probably the office-based staff working for CDS (such as Mrs Lenz), to have arranged for all these works to be carried out. However, I accept that Empower's assistance is nevertheless of some value in that its employees are able to bring to bear their expertise and experience in assessing (or helping in conjunction with others, such as OTs) to assess precisely what needs to be done, and in instructing contractors and following through the carrying out of the work. Empower will have contacts with contractors which CDS may well not have.
128. I further accept Miss Hill's evidence [Day 1 pp.44-5] that Empower attempts to ensure that works are carried out when the tenants are out of the property, in order to reduce anxiety to the tenants and to remove the possibility of the presence of workmen exacerbating tenants' challenging behaviour (where applicable). (See, for example, the risk assessment at [Yellow 13], noting that Miss G does not like to be approached, and that people should not try to enter into conversation with her). This may well involve some additional effort over and above what would be involved in the case of tenants without disability.
129. In my judgment the assistance given by Empower in relation to the carrying out of these works has involved the provision of some support by Empower. I do not see why it cannot amount to support. The word "support", in the context of the definition of "exempt accommodation", in my judgment connotes the giving of advice and assistance to a claimant in coping with the practicalities of his life, and in particular his occupation of the property. I do not think that it is confined to counselling, advising, encouraging etc. the claimant. If it was, it would mean, for example, that guidance and encouragement to a claimant who is capable, with that guidance and encouragement, of himself arranging for work to be carried out, would be support, but arranging to have the work carried out for a more seriously disabled claimant who could not himself take any part in those arrangements could not be support. That would not a sensible outcome.
130. I accept Miss Hill's contention [witness statement, p.13] that, owing to the degree of use made of the properties (owing to the presence of care providers), resulting in greater wear and tear, Empower's repairing obligations may in practice be more onerous than if the properties were let to persons without disability. However, although a landlord may be providing support by executing a particular type of repair which is made necessary only by the nature of a tenant's disability, I doubt whether the mere fact that a lot of use is made of the premises enables the landlord to say that the execution of any particular repair amounts to provision of support because it goes beyond ordinary property management. Tenants without disability are likely to vary enormously in the amount of use which they make of the premises, and in how careful they are, and the landlord just has to accept that as part of his ordinary management responsibilities.

(d) Arranging servicing and repair of tenants' own appliances

131. Miss Hill says in her statement: "we have a duty to ensure our tenants are in a safe environment and this can include monitoring all the electrical appliances ensuring regular pat testing takes place and that all extinguishers are serviced. We provide a service contract for the lift as we feel this is within the specialised equipment area."
132. Ms Hill accepted in evidence, however, [Day 2 p.15] that pat (i.e. portable appliance testing) for these properties is in fact arranged by CDS, as is confirmed in relation to no. 302 by the computer entry at [Green 15 p.32], in relation to no. 302A by the entry at [Yellow 12 p.504] and in relation to no. 20 by [Pink 10 p.693]. I do not think that "providing" a service contract for the lift amounts to "support". Under Clause 2.7 of the tenancy agreement Empower is obliged to keep the lift in repair and in proper working order.

(e) Use of domestic appliances

133. Miss Hill says the following in her witness statement:

"When the tenants moved into [nos. 302 and 302A] the appliances that they used were brought with them from a previous property except the cooker and hob which was gifted from Empower. We were asked to advise the house on the use of this and this involved visiting the property and showing members of staff how to programme and use timers etc. Since the last appeal we have had several requests regarding the dishwasher and washing machine at [no. 302]. Initially it was the use of the items then progressed into locations and drainage. Due to the tenant having extreme needs with cleanliness and laundry we had to react quickly in order for the appliances to be back up and running."

134. The initial instructions in connection with use of the items were in my judgment part of the setting up of the schemes. As regards the later assistance in connection with the dishwasher and washing machine, insufficiently specific details are given to enable me to determine whether this amounted to "support". To the extent that what is being referred to is related to the switching of the staff bedroom and the laundry room in no. 302, it is included above under "arranging contractors for tenants."

(f) Arranging and monitoring recurring household tasks

135. Miss Hill says [page 13 of her witness statement] that Empower had "numerous" calls from houses requesting that apparently high utility bills be evaluated, and that Empower contacted suppliers to see whether any discounts or schemes were available, and found that meter readings had not been provided for some time and that the account had been overestimated. "We therefore arranged with the house to read the meter every month to ensure the tenant is not overpaying on utilities."
136. My reading of that paragraph in Miss Hill's statement is that the help described in the second half of the paragraph was actually given only to no. 302A , and that was confirmed by Miss Hill in her oral evidence [Day 1 p.88] . It seems to me that this was activity of a one-off nature, and that it could easily have been sorted out by the support providers themselves: Miss Hill said in her evidence: "so once we contacted them [the care providers] and let them know this had happened then it was resolved. It wasn't a problem." [Day 1 p.89]. I am not satisfied that this was a service which was either available to or needed by the tenants of these properties at the times material to these proceedings.
137. Such assistance may also have been given very early on in relation to no. 20 [see Pink 13, p.807;7/11/05], but again this was in my view part of the setting up of the scheme.

(g) Maintaining safety and security of the premises

138. I have found (see para. 107 above) that at the relevant dates it was Empower's practice to inspect properties annually (separately from the PRC) and to complete "safety inspection" and "security inspection" forms (see e.g. the completed forms at Green 3, relating to the inspection of no. 302 in September 2006).
139. Those forms have the following note (or a variant of it) at the beginning:

"This inspection is supplementary to mandatory compliance with current legislation and is based on the principles of the Housing Health and Safety Hazard Rating System and the Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occcupation) Regulations 1990

Any recorded observations are intended to monitor the relationship of specialist care provision in supported housing with any physical or practical issues relevant to the safe occupation of the premises. ADVICE AND DIRECTION WILL BE GIVEN WHERE NECESSARY"

140. The broad thrust of Miss Perez' submissions on behalf of the Council is that these inspections did not amount to the provision by Empower of any significant amount of support because, to the extent that they are not comprised in ordinary housing management, they amounted merely to checking that LCC was complying with its own procedures relating to health and safety.

(i) safety inspections

141. The safety inspection forms are headed (in some cases) "SAFETY INSPECTION – PREMISES AND PRACTICES" and in others "SAFETY SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR TENANT(S) AND CARE STAFF". They consider matters related to safety under a number of headings and sub-headings, such as physiological requirements (e.g. damp and mould growth, excess cold etc), protection from infection (e.g. domestic hygiene and refuse, food safety etc.), protection against accidents (e.g. falls associated with baths, etc.).
142. In addition, the standard PRC forms include some questions relating to health and safety issues: see e.g. [Green 2 p.211].
143. In her witness statement (p.14) Miss Hill, having referred to the categories of matters dealt with in the safety inspection forms, stated as follows:

"Whilst this list seems extensive it has highlighted some very serious areas of concern regarding [nos. 20 and 302 and 302A]. Not only did this highlight the need for the specialist kitchen [i.e. stable] doors mentioned earlier but it also made the care providers aware of risks associated with simple things such as furniture location. It highlighted with [nos. 302 and 302A] the need to always have a member of staff outside the lift whilst one was inside to ensure help was available should it stop. It encouraged us to look at the layout of the furniture within [nos. 302 and 302A] and need for space for visiting family members, hence the reason the conservatory is now the room allocated to visitors. …….. Within [no. 20] it was evident that we would have a concern regarding the use of the ramp as two of the tenants had become unsteady on their feet so we decided to extend the width of the ramp to eliminate any trips or falls on uneven surfaces."

144. In determining whether the undertaking of these inspections, and the making of recommendations, and assistance by Empower in carrying them out, extend beyond ordinary housing management, it is necessary to have regard to the extent of Empower's obligations of maintenance and repair under the tenancy agreement (as to which see Part F above), and to its statutory obligations.
145. No submissions were made to me by either side in relation to the extent of Empower's statutory obligations, but I have thought it right to look at the position in outline.
146. First, the Housing Act 2004 introduced the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), an evidence-based system for assessing housing conditions. The Act imposes a duty on local authorities to take enforcement action where a category 1 hazard exists and gives discretion to take action where a category 2 hazard exists. The hazard categories are defined by reference to a numerical score in respect of a prescribed list of 29 matters, including things like "damp and mould growth", "excess cold", and "falls – both on the level and on stairs." "Hazard" is defined as "any risk of harm to the health or safety of an actual or potential occupier …..which arises from a deficiency in the dwelling ….or house in multiple occupation …..(whether the deficiency arises as a result of the construction of any building, an absence of maintenance or repair, or otherwise)." The matters which Empower's safety inspection form requires to be considered appear to be derived directly from that prescribed list of 29 matters.
147. Enforcement action under the 2004 Act includes the service of an improvement notice. In the case of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) such a notice must be served on either the person having control of the HMO or the person managing it. Those expressions are defined in s.263 of the Act, and would appear in the present case to be in each case Empower, being the person in receipt of the rent. The assessment of hazards takes into account, under some of the 29 categories, the position of vulnerable groups, specified by reference to age (i.e. either youth or old age), but not mental or physical disability as such. See, generally, Halsbury's Laws, Vol. 22, at paras. 359 onwards.
148. Secondly, the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 (which superseded the 1990 Regulations referred to at the beginning of Empower's forms) were made under s.234 of the 2004 Act. By s.234(2) the regulations may, in particular,

"(a) impose duties on the person managing a house in respect of the repair, maintenance, cleanliness and good order of the house and facilities and equipment in it;

(b) impose duties on persons occupying a house for the purpose of ensuring that the person managing the house can effectively carry out any duty imposed on him under the regulations.

149. In the present case both no. 20 and no. 302, and also (in view of the presence of the overnight care provider) no. 302A, would appear to be houses in multiple occupation within the definition in s.254 of the 2004 Act. Empower, as the person in receipt of the rent, would appear to be the "person managing" the HMOs. Many of the statutory duties set out in the 2006 Regulations are within the repair and maintenance obligations which Empower undertakes under its tenancy agreement.
150. As I have said, I was not referred by either Mr Ennals or Miss Perez to the above statutory provisions, and Mr Ennals did not therefore seek to demonstrate that what Empower did went beyond its statutory and contractual obligations. However, I think that it would be reasonable to assume that in so far as some course of action was rendered desirable, on safety grounds, only by reason of the tenants' disabilities, the recommending of it, and any assistance with carrying it out, did involve an element of "support". Looking through the safety inspection form completed in relation to no. 302 in September 2006 at [Green 3], for example, only the comments relating to the lift (p.226), the radiator covers (p.226), the ramp (p.229) and the projecting thorns (p.229) appear possibly to fall within that category. At the inspection of no. 302 a year later [Green 7], no recommendations were made.
151. I think that it may also be that the matters dealt with in the safety inspections went beyond contractual and statutory requirements in as much as the particular mode of use of the premises and fixtures/fittings, as opposed to their condition, were considered.
152. Some of the matters dealt with in the safety inspection forms (e.g. those relating to fire safety) overlap the questions raised in the health and safety sections of the PRC forms (see e.g. the questions at [Green 5 p.237]). These questions relate primarily, as Miss Hill accepted in evidence, to checking that CDS had in place appropriate health and safety procedures and fire procedures and that the care staff employed by CDS were familiar with them [Day 2, p.90]. Ms Hill's evidence was further that Empower checks the procedures and makes recommendations if it considers them desirable, as in relation to Miss G's fire evacuation plan and the key handling procedures [Day 2 p.21].
153. Given that the health and safety questions on the PRC forms related to the adequacy of the health and safety procedures implemented by the care staff, it seems to me that these were matters which ought to have been checked by both the management of CDS, and the persons at LCC responsible for commissioning the care and support provided by CDS, either under health and safety at work legislation or by virtue of the duty of care owed to the persons being cared for. Indeed, there are in the papers examples of (i) fire risk assessments carried out by Caroline Dale, CDS's house manager at no. 302, in July 2006 and May 2008 [Green 2 and Green 12]; (ii) CDS's, "weekly tenancy checklist", checking matters such as water temperature, fridge temperature etc [Green 2 pp.215-223] and (iii) LCC's health and safety policy [Green 12]. At the PRC in June 2007 the staff were asked whether they carried out systematic checks: Pink 13, p.767.
154. There are also questions on the PRC forms relating to accident books. Ms. Hill stated in evidence that records of accidents are not kept on the premises, but at CDS's office, and that Empower see them only if they relate to the condition of the premises; she gave the example of an uneven flag stone which had caused a tenant to trip [Day 2, pp.86-90]. It seems to me that any action arising out of accidents relating to the condition of the property is quite likely to result from disrepair of the premises for which Empower is responsible as landlord, although I would accept that the additional susceptibility of these tenants, owing to their disabilities, may warrant remedial action for which Empower would not be liable as landlord, but which it would be willing to arrange to have carried out
155. My overall impression is that the matters dealt with in the safety inspection forms, and the health and safety sections of the PRC forms, to a large extent cover matters which are either within Empower's contractual or statutory obligations (and so do not go beyond housing management), or duplicate health and safety matters which it is LCC's duty to consider, either under health and safety and work legislation or by virtue of a duty of care owed to the residents. In so far as Empower is duplicating what LCC was in any event required to do, it is very doubtful whether there can be any significant benefit to the tenants. I accept, however, that there may be some matters, relating particularly to the safety of the premises when occupied by people with the claimants' particular disabilities, which fell outside Empower's obligations. Overall, however, I do not think that this "support" can have amounted to very much. The safety inspections were only once a year (with the PRCs being carried out separately, also once a year at the time I am considering).
156. I think that I am confirmed in that view by the fact that in her witness statement Mrs Lenz states that she works alongside her line manager to manage teams of staff within a tenancy "including rota management, health and safety requirements …." Further, although she refers to assistance with housing benefit claims and arranging for the carrying out of works as types of support provided by Empower which the care staff of CDS find helpful, she does not say that they find Empower's scrutiny of the health and safety or security aspects as helpful. (I do note, however, that in her letter to Mr. Parkinson dated 2 October 2006 [no. 302A p.156] she did refer to "overseeing the safety and security of tenants' living environment including care workers' working practices" as one of the items of support provided by Empower).

(ii) Security inspections

157. Again, it was Empower's practice at the material times to carry out security inspections once a year. In so far as these inspections revealed a lack of repair for which Empower was liable as landlord, neither the inspection nor the remedying of the defect amounted to "support". That would appear to have been the case in relation to, for example, the lock defects and broken catch identified at the inspection of no. 302 in September 2006 [Green 4 p.230].
158. But more generally I would regard proposals to increase the security of the premises (in the sense of making it more difficult for intruders to gain access) by alterations to the building as being so significantly for the benefit of the Empower (as well as the tenants) that the making of proposals do not generally amount to more than ordinary housing management. That appears to be recognised by Miss Hill on p. 14 of her witness statement, where she said that that "this is generally for the benefit of the landlord."
159. However, I would again make an exception in the case of recommendations made more desirable as a result of the tenants' particular disabilities, and in the case of recommendations relating to the mode of use of the property, as opposed to its condition. The advice given in relation to the procedures for storing and handling keys at nos. 302 and 302A, for example, (see [Yellow 3, p.443 and Day 1 p.86; p.15 of Miss Hill's statement, first paragraph; Yellow 14, p.530] would appear to fall within this category.
160. There may therefore have been some element of "support" involved in these inspections, but again I do not think that it amounted to a great deal. As noted above, the inspections took place only once a year, and in any event basic security is something which one would expect the care staff to have well in mind.

(h) Adaptations for disability

161. I have in effect considered this above under the headings "arranging contractors for tenants", and "maintaining the safety and security of the premises." See also below under PRCs.

(i) Assistance in budgeting

162. Miss Hill's states in her statement:

"During the first appeal it was noted that this service had not yet been used by any of the tenants under appeal but had been used by other tenants. The tenant of 302A has since had some assistance with this as mentioned earlier regarding utility bills. 302 did have some assistance when they moved into the property due to electrical charges for the lift supply; this was discussed verbally at the first appeal hearing."

163. I have dealt above with question of utility bills, under the heading "arranging and monitoring recurrent household tasks."
164. In her witness statement Mrs Lenz listed, as an example of support provided by Empower, "assistance with budgeting schemes for garden issues e.g. pruning trees/laying patio areas and providing support e.g. to complete forms for relief on water rates." In evidence she said that this related to no. 302A [Day 1, p.42 (missing section)].
165. The tenants' money is controlled by CDS. I am not satisfied that any assistance with "budgeting" was either generally available to or needed by any of the Claimants at the times material to these proceedings, save possibly for a short period in relation to certain items of gardening at no. 302A.

(j) Advising and assisting on neighbour relationships

166. Miss Hill's statement refers to dealings by Empower with neighbours before and very shortly after the tenants moved in. In my judgment those matters were part of the setting up of the scheme and did not amount to the provision of support for present purposes.
167. The statement then refers to meetings in respect of a planning application by neighbours at nos. 302 and 302A [see also Day 1 p.82-3], and works to a small strip to the side of the property. None of these activities seem to me to have extended beyond ordinary property management. Any landlord would have been expected to carry them out in his own interests. In particular, it is clearly in the landlord's interest to oppose a planning application which may have a detrimental effect on the value of or view from the property.
168. I note that at the PRC in July 2008 in respect of no. 20 Empower was informed that there were neighbour disputes in respect of parking issues, and that Empower asked if they could help but that the offer was declined, presumably because CDS considered that they could sort it out themselves [Pink 13 p.787]. Action in relation to disputes with neighbours about property rights would fall within ordinary property management.

(k) General counselling and support

169. Miss Hill states as follows in her witness statement:

"Although these tenants are unable to communicate verbally or are partially sighted, we still provide them with full pictorial guidance as much as possible, to help them understand why we are in their home, in some cases we ask simple questions or read details and use hand gestures in order for them to understand and answer. Pictorial guides are also used should family members have any questions as they give them an easy to understand guide of what we offer."

170. The documentation includes specimens of a simplified explanation, accompanied by pictures, relating to a first PRC, available support services, and a tenancy agreement [Orange 5, 7 and 10]. I note the entries at [Yellow 15 p.593 and 594] that pictorial handbooks were used on various visits to Miss G at no. 302A.
171. However, I am not satisfied, having regard to their disabilities, that any of the tenants of these properties could derive any significant benefit from these pictorial explanations. That was Miss Hill's oral evidence [Day 1 pp.47-50], and Mr Ennals accepts (para. 13 of his final submission) that "these documents are of little use to these particular tenants." They may be of marginal benefit to the CDS staff, although they would surely not be in need of pictorial guidance.

(l) PRCs

172. I have found (para. 107 above) that at the times material to these proceedings it was Empower's practice to carry out PRCs about once a year. It is in my view apparent that these visits could be carried out, and the reports filled in, in no more than a few hours: I note that the PRCs in August 2006 for no. 20 and no. 302 (housing a total of 8 tenants) were done on the same day – 25 August 2006.
173. Miss Hill in her oral evidence described the purpose of the PRCs as being to check that the house and the tenancy are being maintained and that the tenant is comfortable in his or her own home, and safe (Day 2, p.34; p.145].
174. Some of the matters dealt with in the PRC forms are clearly no more than ordinary housing management (e.g. there are questions about the state of repair and condition of the property, as to whether any of the bedrooms are vacant, and as to satisfaction with the repairs service offered by Empower). The purposes, as disclosed by the forms, which might be argued to go beyond ordinary housing management are the following:

(1) To check that care staff are aware of the location of mains water, gas, and electricity switches. I would not regard that as going much, if at all, beyond ordinary housing management.

(2) To check that care staff understand tenants' responsibility for repair of furniture and white goods gifted to the tenants by Empower at beginning of tenancy. Again, I would regard that as comprised in ordinary housing management.

(3) To check that housing benefit claim forms and necessary supporting information have been submitted for all tenants. That is in my view similarly no more than ordinary housing management, and in addition relates to the setting up of the scheme.

(4) To check compliance by CDS with its health and safety procedures. I have dealt separately with this under the heading "maintaining safety and security of the premises."

(5) To check whether complaints had been received from tenants or their representatives about the service provided by Empower, and if so what action had been taken. There was no real possibility in this case of the tenants themselves complaining. A complaint about the property could have come only from either their families, LCC or CDS staff. It would in my judgment be regarded as part of normal management for a landlord to check whether there had been complaints.

(6) To check various matters relating to the quality of the service being provided by CDS and as to the tenants' general happiness with their living conditions. For example, there are questions on the PRC forms relating to (a) the support provider staffing levels; (b) whether the tenants had complaints about the service provided by CDS and (c) the degree of consultation by the support provider with the tenants (e.g. by way of regular meetings) about their satisfaction with the running of the home.

175. It is in my judgment clear that there was in the present case no realistic possibility of any sort of formal consultation, whether by care staff or Empower, with the tenants, whether by meeting or otherwise.
176. There is a question on the PRC forms: "what impressions did you [i.e. the Empower representative doing the PRC] get from the tenants about the service they are receiving? Please detail good and bad points they raised with you." By way of example, answers to this question included the following: "Tenants seemed very content although I do have a concern with regard to garden use …" [Green 2 p.214]; "tenants happy, settled in property and with staff." [Green 5 p.240]. "All tenants seem very happy and content" [Green 6, p.251] "happy and content in her surroundings" [Yellow 4, p.452] "tenants seemed very happy with their current surroundings" [Pink 1, p.611].
177. However, Miss Hill accepted in evidence that Empower would have to gain its information as to whether the tenants were happy from the care staff [Day 2, p.68; 76, 145] , who were very unlikely to criticise themselves [Day 2, p.69]. Thus at one PRC of no. 20 at which none of the three tenants were present, the Empower representative (Sharon Walker) wrote that the tenants were "happy". That impression could only have been gained from the care staff [Pink 9, p.684; Day 1 p.68]. As another example, Miss Perez pointed out that Miss P has been present at only one out of 7 PRCs which have been conducted in relation to no. 20. Miss Hill's response to that was that she will have seen Miss P on other visits [Day 2 p.59], but I did not find that answer particularly convincing. There seems to have been no system which would trigger a need to go to see a particular tenant because he or she had not been seen for a long time.
178. I do not think that any significant element of support was involved in the purported monitoring by Empower of the service provided by CDS, and the tenants' satisfaction with it, for a number of reasons. First, as I have just noted, there was no realistic possibility of Empower gaining information direct from the tenants. Secondly, Miss Hill accepted that Mrs Lenz would know the tenants and their abilities better than her (Miss Hill)[Day 2 p.2]. Thirdly, Miss Hill accepted that she is not qualified to assess the needs of people with learning difficulties [Day 1 p.126]. I accept that one would not necessarily need to have special knowledge in order to detect severe cases of a failure in the care regime. Miss Hill gave the example, from another property, where, apparently owing to a lack of training, a tenant had been left soiled from 10 pm one evening through to the next morning. Miss Hill took a statement from the care provider's manager and reported it to LCC. [Day 1 p.49; 98]. However, there is no suggestion that there was any real possibility of such a lapse in the care system remaining undetected by the managers of CDS in the present case. In my judgment such very limited monitoring of the care staff as a person conducting an occasional visit on behalf of Empower was able to carry out was an unnecessary duplication of the monitoring which it was the duty of the CDS managers, and the persons at LCC responsible for commissioning the service, to carry out.
179. In so far as a purpose of the visits was to check on the continued suitability of the property, including its adaptations, for each tenant, the Empower representative would in my judgment again be largely dependant on information received from CDS staff at the visit. Only they will know how the tenant is actually getting on at the property, and whether there are any problems arising on a day to day basis. (I note that an entry on the computer in relation to no. 302 notes that "staff felt the scheme could have been perfected had they been involved in the development stage from the beginning. They felt because they worked closely with the tenants they understood their needs and abilities better." [Green 15 p.8]).
180. Further, in so far as problems arise from matters such as the tenants not getting on with each other, there is in practice little that Empower could do, unless the property could usefully be further adapted in some way [Day 2, p.85]. If there is anything significantly wrong which could be altered (e.g. by further adaptations) one would expect CDS to raise the matter with Empower in any event, and Miss Hill accepted that there would be nothing wrong in Empower simply waiting to hear from CDS [Day 2 p.79].
181. I accept, however, that the PRC visits, and other less formal visits which I accept would have taken place, constitute a useful opportunity to discuss any improvements in the property which could usefully be made, or any problems with its continued suitability which there might be. I find that on these visits Empower considers proactively, together with the care staff, what alterations or improvements to the property could be made in order to resolve any difficulties which the tenants or care staff are having.
182. It may be instructive to consider what action points, possibly giving rise to some support, were noted on (for example) the PRC forms for no. 302 of August 2006 and June 2007. I omit references to ordinary repair/maintenance items for which Empower appears clearly to have been responsible.
183. The matters noted in August 2006 were:

•    The garden fencing problem

•    The desirability of swapping the staff bedroom and the laundry room

•    An area of pathing to the rear of the property having no rail or support, and also has very deep and sharp edged steps

•    The need for air conditioning/heaters in the conservatory so that it could be used as an extra room

•    The need for outside steps to be smoothed and a rail to be installed.

184. The matters noted in June 2007 were:

•    the garden fencing still needed to be arranged

•    the desire for a shower screen, or possibly for moving of the shower

185. That seems to me to confirm that the purpose of the PRCs was largely to assess the physical state of the property and its continued suitability for the tenants.

0. CONCLUSIONS ON ISSUE 2 (DID EMPOWER PROVIDE SUPPORT?)

186. I have found that the activities of Empower have gone somewhat beyond ordinary housing management to the extent of

(i) being willing to assist in relation to housing benefit claims and reviews (see particularly para. 119 above);

(ii) proactively considering solutions to any problems arising in relation to the physical condition or use of the properties, and arranging contractors in relation to works for which Empower is not contractually responsible (see particularly paras. 125 to 129, and 181 above);

(iii) conducting safety and security inspections (see particularly paras. 155 and 159-160 above).

187. I refer to my detailed findings above in relation to those matters. At the end of the day I have to decide whether at the directly material times Empower was providing the Claimants with support, within the meaning of the definition of "exempt accommodation". In deciding whether the support provided was more than minimal in extent, I must of course have regard, in particular, to the support available from elsewhere, and in particular from LCC, which has statutory duties in that regard.
188. Had the support been limited to the willingness to assist with housing benefit claims, and to the carrying out of the safety and security inspections, I would not have found it to be more than minimal. However, I do, on balance, think that the service provided by Empower of considering proactively what physical improvements or alterations to the properties could usefully be made, and of undertaking responsibility for arranging work (mainly adaptations desirable in the light of the Claimants' disability, and small maintenance items) falling outside its repair and maintenance obligations, amounted to the provision of support to a more than minimal extent. Although CDS would in practice have had to arrange for this work to be done if Empower did not, Empower is likely to have had expertise and connections with contractors which CDS did not. Mrs Lenz of CDS regards Empower's assistance as of value (see the last paragraph of her statement). The extent of the works arranged by Empower at each property is in my view significantly greater than was established in the Golden Lane cases.

P. DISPOSAL

189. The decisions which I substitute for those made by the appeal tribunals is therefore to allow the Claimants' appeals against the relevant decisions of the Council. Each of the Claimants' accommodation was in my judgment "exempt accommodation."

(Signed on original)

Charles Turnbull

Judge of the Upper Tribunal

12 June 2009