The Social Housing (Regulation) Act has been passed into law, empowering tenants and give the Regulator of Social Housing stronger powers to hold poor landlords to account.
Michael Gove MP, in his role as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, has delivered this Act to place the needs of tenants at the heart of Government reforms to improve the quality of life for those living in social housing across the country. The Act brings forward the following changes:
- Strengthening the Regulator of Social Housing to carry out regular inspections of the largest social housing providers and the power to issue unlimited fines to rogue social landlords.
- Additional Housing Ombudsman powers to publish best practice guidance to landlords following investigations into tenant complaints
- Powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould
- New qualification requirements for social housing managers
- Introducing stronger economic powers to follow inappropriate money transactions outside of the sector
Alongside powers to issue unlimited fines, a stronger Regulator will have greater authority to flush out rogue social landlords, with the capability to enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants.
The Act also makes changes to what activities the Regulator can charge landlords fees for, ensuring it has the resources it needs to do its job.
Commenting, Michael said:
"Today is an important step towards righting the wrongs of the past. Our landmark laws will drive up standards of social housing and give residents a proper voice.
"The Social Housing Act will help to ensure that tenants get the safe, warm and decent homes they deserve - and those who have seriously neglected their responsibilities for far too long will face the consequences.
"Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to take immediate action on dangerous damp and mould as we introduce new strict time limits to fix their homes.
"I am incredibly grateful to Awaab’s family who have displayed such courage, dignity and leadership in pushing for change and securing these vital reforms."
Trefor Hogg, County Councillor for Camberley East, added:
"Good to know that social housing providers such as Accent are finally coming under serious pressure to do better and also to make sure that their staff become more professional.
"I've heard far too many promises over the years to improve and do better, with insufficient evidence to show they actually mean it."
