groundbreaking Social Housing Act receives final approval from the Monarch, now legally enforceable

The UK government has taken a significant step towards improving the quality of social housing with the passing of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act. The Act, which received Royal Assent, marks the beginning of a new era in social housing reform.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, stated that the new laws aim to drive up standards of social housing and give residents a proper voice. Enforcement powers will be made available to tackle failing social housing landlords who are slow to act on issues like damp, cold, and unsafe homes.

One of the key changes is the granting of stronger economic powers to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) to detect inappropriate money transactions outside of the social housing sector. This move is expected to ensure that funds are used effectively and efficiently to improve the quality of social housing.

The RSH will now have the power to conduct regular inspections of large social housing providers, issue unlimited fines to rogue social landlords, and even make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants. The RSH will also have the ability to enter properties with only 48 hours' notice.

Awaab's Law, named after a young boy who tragically died due to poor housing conditions, will introduce new strict time limits to fix homes with dangerous damp and mould. Landlords will need to meet these time limits to address hazards such as damp and mould in homes.

All social housing providers, both private registered providers and local authority landlords, will be expected to pay for regulation costs. The Regulator will have the power to charge landlords fees for various activities, including new consumer standards and investigating when things go wrong.

Landlords will need to demonstrate how they're providing good quality homes and services for tenants. They will also need to meet the RSH's governance and viability standards.

The Housing Ombudsman will gain additional powers to publish best practice guidance for landlords following investigations into tenant complaints. New qualification requirements have been introduced for social housing managers to ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage social housing effectively.

The RSH will soon publish a consultation on new consumer standards to protect tenants. The release of the new consumer standards is expected in autumn 2025. The regulatory regime is expected to go live in April next year, with the RSH starting their new program of regulatory inspections from next April.

Fiona MacGregor, chief executive of the RSH, encourages tenants, landlords, and others in the sector to have their say during the consultation on new consumer standards. She invites everyone to contribute to the discussion and help shape the future of social housing in the UK.

This comprehensive overhaul of social housing regulations promises to bring about a significant improvement in the quality of social housing and the lives of those who live in it. It is a step towards ensuring that social housing meets the same high standards as private housing, providing tenants with safe, warm, and comfortable homes.