Consultation outcome

Consultation on directions to the Regulator of Social Housing: tenant rights and complaints

• From: Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
• Published: 27 September 2023
• Last updated: 19 January 2024 — See all updates

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

Applies to England

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Tenants' rights and complaints: government response to the consultation

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Direction on the Regulatory Standards (Provision of Information) 2024

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Detail of outcome

Between 27 September and 22 November 2023, we sought views on proposed directions from the Secretary of State to the Regulator of Social Housing for the purpose of securing that registered providers of social housing are required to provide their tenants of low-cost rental accommodation with information about their tenants’ rights and how their tenants can make a complaint.

Following the consultation, the government has decided to proceed with issuing a direction to the Regulator on tenant rights and complaints.

This direction is one part of the department’s Social Housing Quality Programme, aimed at driving up the quality of social housing and ensuring that all tenants have a safe and decent home, and are listened to by their landlords.

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Original consultation

Summary

This consultation seeks views on Directions from the Secretary of State to the Regulator of Social Housing in relation to the provision of information on tenants’ rights and complaints.

This consultation ran from
9:30am on 27 September 2023 to 11:59pm on 22 November 2023

Consultation description

This consultation seeks views on a proposed direction from the Secretary of State to the Regulator of Social Housing, using powers under section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 as amended.

Through the changes outlined in the Social Housing White Paper, the government is taking extensive action to ensure tenants are protected, have decent quality homes, and are treated with fairness and respect.

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 requires the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to give a direction to the Regulator for the purpose of securing that registered providers of social housing are required to provide their tenants of low-cost rental accommodation with information about their tenants’ rights and how their tenants can make a complaint.

This consultation seeks views on a proposal to use this power to direct the Regulator to set standards relating to the provision of information to tenants on making complaints, tenants’ rights, and relevant regulatory requirements.

More widely, the government is taking action to ensure hazards in social homes are addressed quickly. This will be the subject of a future consultation.

Documents

Provision of information to tenants: Direction to the Social Housing Regulator on tenants’ rights and complaints

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Published 27 September 2023
Last updated 19 January 2024 + show all updates

1. 19 January 2024

   Added government response.

2. 27 September 2023

   First published.