- Social housing landlords could face unlimited fines for
failing tenants
- New Social Housing (Regulation) Bill will drive up standards
and bolster regulator’s power to act
- Tenants put on level playing field with ability to rate
services and access information about landlord
- Bill will tackle damp, cold and unsafe homes and ensure
landlords don’t ignore tenants
Failing social housing landlords could face unlimited fines and
Ofsted-style inspections, under the Social Housing (Regulation)
Bill set to be introduced to Parliament today (8 June).
The move will mean more people living in decent, well
looked-after homes enjoying the quality of life they deserve.
The Regulator of Social Housing will have stronger powers to
issue unlimited fines, enter properties with only 48 hours’
notice – down from 28 days – and make emergency repairs where
there is a serious risk to tenants, with landlords footing the
bill.
In a major reset of power between tenants and landlords,
residents will be able to demand information and rate their
landlord as part of new satisfaction measures. The Bill will form
a key part of the Government’s mission to level up across the
country and deliver on the people’s priorities.
Tenants will have a direct line to government, with a new
250-person residents panel convening every four months to share
their experiences with Ministers, inform policy thinking and help
drive change in the sector.
The Bill is the latest step in addressing the systemic issues
identified following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, not just on the
safety and quality of social housing, but about how tenants are
treated by their landlords.
Levelling Up Secretary said:
“In 2022 it is disgraceful that anyone should live in damp, cold
and unsafe homes, waiting months for repairs and being routinely
ignored by their landlord. These new laws will end this injustice
and ensure the regulator has strong new powers to take on rogue
social landlords.
“We are driving up the standards of social housing and giving
residents a voice to make sure they get the homes they deserve.
That is levelling up in action.”
The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill being introduced today
removes the serious detriment test – a legislative barrier that
once axed will make it easier for the Regulator to tackle poor
performing landlords.
The biggest social housing providers will face regular
inspections and the Levelling Up Secretary will continue to name
and shame worst offenders to make sure residents are living in
good quality homes.
Earlier this month, the Levelling Up Secretary
called out Britain’s biggest social landlord Clarion after
the Housing Ombudsman found severe cases of maladministration.
The Bill will also mean landlords will need to have a named
person who will be responsible for health and safety
requirements. And tenants of housing associations will be able to
request information from their landlord, similar to how the
Freedom of Information Act works for council housing.
Today’s move shows the government is delivering on its levelling
up missions, taking serious steps to halve the number of
poor-quality rented homes by 2030.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Bill will enable the Regulator of Social Housing to
regulate consumer standards proactively, as committed to in the
Social Housing White Paper. Abolishing the serious detriment test
will allow the regulator to intervene on grounds of a breach or
potential breach of consumer standards, whether or not tenants
face ‘serious detriment’.
- The Secretary of State will continue to name and shame
landlords who have breached consumer standards or have where the
Housing Ombudsman has found maladministration against them.
- Alongside Bill introduction, the Government is seeking views
on electrical safety standards for social housing via a
consultation opening today, so that tenants can feel safe in
their homes.
- This marks the latest step in response to the Grenfell Tower
fire, following on from the Building Safety Act
and last year’s Fire Safety Act.
- The Government is committed to delivering a better deal for
renters. The Renters Reform Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech
will give tenants much needed security. More details will be
published shortly in the Private Rented Sector White Paper.
