October 2023 - update on government’s work to improve the quality of social housing
The government is committed to improving the quality of social housing in England. In response to the tragic death of 2-year-old Awaab Ishak, we are reforming the sector so that every tenant has a decent, safe and secure home. We report our progress every month.
Applies to England
Consumer regime
On 17 October, the Regulator of Social Housing concluded their consultation on revisions to the consumer standards. The draft standards include new requirements for landlords, such as having an accurate record of the condition of their housing stock, and will require landlords to give tenants opportunities to influence and scrutinise their landlord’s strategies, policies and services.
There were over 1,000 responses to the consultation, with around 60% of responses coming from tenants. The Regulator will consider these before publishing the final, revised consumer standards. This will be followed by the implementation of the proactive consumer regulation regime, where the Regulator will seek assurances that landlords are meeting the consumer standards, including through regular inspections of large landlords.
Making sure tenants’ voices are heard
Make Things Right campaign for residents
On 9 October, we launched our latest Make Things Right campaign to help tenants know their rights and how to complain if they have an issue with their home or landlord. It will run until 31 March 2024 with social media, radio and digital audio adverts pointing to a new campaign website, which is available in multiple languages. Posters, leaflets and more are available to download from the campaign toolkit.
Resident Panel
The Social Housing Quality Resident Panel continues to play an invaluable role in shaping social housing policy. It brings together residents from across England to directly and regularly share their views with government on social housing quality policy.
In October, the Panel took part in a webinar where Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at The Regulator of Social Housing, explained the Regulator’s consultation on new consumer standards.
Panel members also shared their views and experience with the department’s Social Housing Quality and Residents team at a bespoke event.
Four Million Homes
Our Four Million Homes programme provides free information, guidance, and training on residents’ rights. It will run until March 2025.
It helps residents work with their landlords and make sure homes and neighbourhoods are well-maintained, clean and safe.
In October, we launched our social media campaign, A-Z of Rights and Guidance for Social Housing Residents, which sits alongside webinars and training available online
The autumn programme of free face-to-face training continued with sessions on how to be involved in landlords’ resident panels and residents’ associations. Recorded webinars are available here.
Looking ahead
Below is our planned activity over the coming months. All timings are indicative and subject to change.
November
- The Resident Panel will take part in the next Online Community discussion forum about how their landlords work in their local areas and meet the senior government official responsible for social housing quality.
- Further free face-to-face training events will be held under our Four Million Homes programme in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London on the legal requirements for social housing landlords. A webinar will be held on Neighbourhood Management. All events can be booked online.
Autumn / Winter
We will set out next steps on
- The Decent Homes Standard
- Minimum energy efficiency standards
- Time limits for repairs and hazards (Awaab’s Law)
- Competence and conduct standards for social housing landlords
- Supported housing regulatory oversight
- Social Housing Tenant Access to Information Scheme (for private registered providers only).
We also plan to publish:
- Our consultation response on changes to electrical safety requirements;
- Case studies on good practice approaches to dealing with anti-social behaviour.
- Following its consultation, the Regulator will publish its decision statement and standards for its new consumer regulation regime, which is due to be introduced in April 2024.
By Autumn 2024
- Publication of the first Tenant Satisfaction Measures data, provided by landlords to the Regulator.
Further information and resources
- More details on our reforms can be found on the Social Housing Quality page.
- Find information and guidance on social housing residents’ rights and the services landlords are required to provide at Four Million Homes guidance.