residual function of The Rent Service were transferred to become a part of the Valuation Office Agency. Changes to the local housing allowance were announced in the June 2010 budget. The first changes are planned to come into effect between April 2011 and October 2011. The VOA Rent Officers now provide the BRMA and lettings data on a new facility for London. Case law regarding rent control In 1999, the House of Lords found in Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd that a protected tenancy could be passed on to a gay cohabiting partner (before the availability of either civil partnerships or same-sex marriage) as the couple could be considered a "family" under the Rent Act 1977. See also English land law English trusts law Land tenure in England Notes References English property law Housing in England Housing in Wales Poverty in England Poverty in Wales Affordable housing Welfare state in the United Kingdom Price controls Britain Regulation in the United Kingdom