Changes next week to regulation of social housing are "the most significant in a decade", says Government
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has hailed next week’s (1 April) launch by the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) of the new consumer regulation regime as a “significant milestone” in its programme to improve the quality of social housing.
In a March 2024 update, it said the reforms were “the most significant change to the regulation of social housing in a decade”.
Under the new regime RSH will proactively seek evidence and assurances that registered providers are meeting the requirements set by the revised consumer standards, which were published on 29 February following consultation.
DLUHC said: “To achieve this, there will be new routine inspections for large providers, ensuring the Regulator can hold providers to account for meeting the standards. Following these inspections, new consumer gradings will ensure that it is clear how providers are performing against the new standards.
“Social housing tenants will be better equipped to hold their landlords to account, with new tenant satisfaction measures making clear how tenants feel about their landlord’s performance. This will provide greater transparency across social housing and help to bridge the gap between landlords and their tenants.”
In the update DLUHC also said that Awaab’s Law – introduced through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 – would be included in all social housing tenancy agreements so that, once regulations are in force, social landlords will have to comply with the legislation’s requirements.
If they fail to comply, then residents will be able to hold their social landlords to account by taking legal action through the courts for a breach of contract, the Department added.
The full update, which is available here, also covers the latest developments in relation to:
- The Make Things Right campaign for residents
- The Four Million Homes programme
- The Resident Panel.
Harry Rodd
