The Social Housing (Regulation) Act became law on 20 July 2023. As proposed in the white paper that preceded it (the charter for social housing residents), it strengthened the Regulator of Social Housing’s (the Regulator) powers by introducing proactive consumer regulation. Measures it contains will strengthen the rights of tenants to access information and redress, and expand professionalism in the sector through the Competence and Conduct Standard. As the bill passed through parliament it was amended to provide the framework for the requirements of Awaab’s Law.
As a result of the act:
The Regulator:
- Can now proactively regulate consumer standards, with a schedule of planned as well as responsive inspections, and can require improvements through a range of powers, including unlimited fines.
- Has safety embedded within its regulatory standards, as well as transparency, directing what information all social landlords should collect and publish for tenants and stakeholders to see.
- Has stronger economic powers to follow inappropriate money transactions outside of the sector and to require more information from third parties to support its regulatory functions.
The Housing Ombudsman Service:
- Is required to monitor compliance with its statutory Code of Practice for handling complaints
- Has powers to publish good practice guidance arising from its investigations into complaints, and can require landlords to review its policies against that good practice.
What you need to know about the Social Housing (Regulation) Act
Discover more about the Social Housing (Regulation) Act in our member-exclusive what you need to know briefing. It also summarises our response to the new legislation.
What you need to know briefing
You can read the full text of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act on the gov.uk website.
So what's next?
Most of the provisions of the Act came into force on 20 September 2023 or on 1 April 2024. We are still waiting for the government’s response to several consultations on key measures including the competence and conduct standard and social tenants access to information requirements.
Awaab’s Law
This will require landlords to act on hazards in the home including damp and mould, within specific timeframes, and give tenants the right to take legal action where this is not met.
The government announced its proposals to stage the introduction of Awaab’s Law in February, starting with damp and mould. See CIH’s response.
Find out more in our member briefing, What you need to know about Awaab's Law, and CIH’s response to the consultation.
Competence and conduct standard
This will require the Regulator to set a standard on expectations for training and development for housing staff, including mandatory qualifications for senior housing executives and managers whose roles include a significant amount of time on managing the delivery of housing management services
The mandating of qualification requirements for social housing managers brings social housing closely into line with other sectors providing front line services, including social work, teaching, and health and care services.
Find CIH’s full response to the consultation.
Social tenants access to information requirements (STAIRS)
This will introduce rights for the tenants of private registered providers, or their representatives, to request information from landlords, similar to the rights for tenants of local authority landlords under the Freedom of Information.
Additional member exclusive-content
You'll find all our member-exclusive content linked to the progression of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act below:
