Today (29 February 2024) RSH has set out its new standards for social housing landlords, designed to protect tenants and improve the service they receive. RSH has also confirmed how it will regulate landlords against these standards.
The changes, which are a result of the landmark Social Housing Regulation Act, come into effect from 1 April 2024. They will apply to all social landlords, including councils and housing associations.
Under the new standards landlords will need to:
- ensure tenants are safe in their homes
- listen to tenants' complaints and respond promptly to put things right
- be accountable to tenants and treat them with fairness and respect
- know more about the condition of every home and the needs of the people who live in them
- collect and use data effectively across a range of areas, including repairs
Most social housing tenants live in decent homes, but RSH is clear that all landlords can improve. To hold landlords to account, it will:
- inspect larger landlords regularly to check they are meeting the outcomes in the standards
- scrutinise data about tenant satisfaction, repairs and other relevant issues
- continue to push landlords to protect tenants and put things right when there are problems
- use a range of tools when needed, including new enforcement powers
- continue to focus on the financial viability and governance of housing associations as part of its integrated regulation
RSH has engaged extensively with tenants, landlords and other stakeholders in developing this stronger approach. Over 1,000 people took part in RSH's standards consultation, with more than 50% of responses coming from tenants. The overwhelming majority of people supported the proposals.
The inspection programme will start from April and run in four-year cycles.
Along with the inspections, RSH will continue its responsive engagement, considering cases referred by tenants and other stakeholders, and taking action against landlords when required.
Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of RSH, said:
Social landlords must keep tenants safe in their homes, listen to what they say and put things right when needed. We are introducing new standards to drive improvements in social housing, and we will actively inspect landlords to check they are meeting them.
We have spoken to thousands of tenants and other stakeholders who have helped shape our new approach, and we are extremely grateful for their input and involvement. It is vital that landlords make sure they are ready.
Notes
To set out its new regulatory approach, RSH has today published a pack of information for the social housing sector. This includes:
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A document called 'Reshaping consumer regulation' which summarises the key changes to RSH's regulation.
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The final consumer standards that landlords will be regulated against from 1 April 2024, along with the final decision statement and code of practice.
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A document called 'Regulating the standards' which explains how RSH will regulate, including its approach to inspections.
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The plan for undertaking landlord inspections. This includes a description of which landlords are subject to regular inspections and how often RSH will carry them out. The plan also sets out when RSH may carry out inspections which are not programmed.
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The outcome (and final guidance) on RSH's consultation on its guidance for using enforcement powers (the Statutory Guidance under section 215 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008)
The four consumer standards are:
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The Safety and Quality Standard which requires landlords to provide safe and good-quality homes for their tenants, along with good-quality landlord services.
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The Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard which requires landlords to be open with tenants and treat them with fairness and respect so they can access services, raise concerns when necessary, influence decision making and hold their landlord to account.
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The Neighbourhood and Community Standard which requires landlords to engage with other relevant parties so that tenants can live in safe and well-maintained neighbourhoods, and feel safe in their homes.
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The Tenancy Standard which sets requirements for the fair allocation and letting of homes, as well as requirements for how tenancies are managed by landlords.
RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by undertaking robust economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered. RSH's remit on consumer issues is expanding and, from April 2024, it will begin carrying out regulatory inspections of social landlords.
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