Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act received royal assent in parliament on the 20th of July 2023, introducing a number of reforms to the housing sector. These changes were initially proposed as a direct result of the Grenfell tragedy after repeated fire safety concerns of residents were found to have not been acted on by their landlord. It is a response to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committees enquiry, looking into the regulation of social housing.

The new Act gives increasing powers to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) and to the Housing Ombudsman, with potential inspections of the providers at 48 hours’ notice. The RSH can also now order landlords to carry out immediate remedial works and issue fines without a cap to those who do not respond to requests within a certain timescale.

During the time that the Act made its way through Parliament, a number of amendments were made, including requirements for qualification and for the RSH to ensure homes are energy efficient. The detail of a number of items however continues to be absent or are being drafted, including the level of efficiency and any associated funding mechanisms for improvement works.

One of the clauses in the new Act known as Awaab's Law commemorates and acts upon the memory of Awaab Ishak, a two year old boy who, when in Rochdale Boroughwide Housing accomodation died from exposure to mould over a prolonged period of time. This part of the Act sets timescale requirements on social landlords in terms of responding, investigating and acting on repair issues.

Furthermore the Act allows the RSH to issue what are known as ‘performance improvement plan notices’ where standards are not met or documents are not up to date. There is also a new requirement that all social housing managers must have a professional qualification to support their role.

For further information on the visit www.parallelparliament.co.uk

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