Social Housing (Regulation) Act

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 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.

Additional member exclusive-content

You'll find all our member-exclusive content linked to the progression of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act below:

Awaab’s Law

This requires landlords to act on hazards in the home including damp and mould, within specific timeframes, and gives 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 requires 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 out more

Social tenants access to information requirements (STAIRS)

This introduces 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.

• CIH responded to the consultation.