Social Housing Act to become law

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act has received Royal Assent and is set to become law.

The act introduces several changes, including strengthening the Regulator of Social Housing to carry out regular inspections of the largest social housing providers and the power to issue unlimited fines to rogue social landlords, additional Housing Ombudsman powers to publish best practice guidance to landlords following investigations into tenant complaints and powers to set strict time limits for social landlords to address hazards such as damp and mould.

The legislation will include new qualification requirements for social housing managers and introduce stronger economic powers to follow inappropriate money transactions outside of the sector.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, Rt. Hon Michael Gove MP said: "Today is an important step towards righting the wrongs of the past. Our landmark laws will drive up standards of social housing and give residents a proper voice.

"The Social Housing Act will help to ensure that tenants get the safe, warm and decent homes they deserve - and those who have seriously neglected their responsibilities for far too long will face the consequences.

"Awaab’s Law will force social landlords to take immediate action on dangerous damp and mould as we introduce new strict time limits to fix their homes.

"I am incredibly grateful to Awaab’s family who have displayed such courage, dignity and leadership in pushing for change and securing these vital reforms."

Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive of the Regulator of Social Housing, said: "We welcome the introduction of the Social Housing Regulation Act, which will empower tenants and give us stronger powers to hold social landlords to account.

"Our next step is to consult on the new consumer standards that landlords will need to meet, and we encourage tenants, landlords and others in the sector to have their say when we launch the consultation next week.

"We’re gearing up to start our new programme of regulatory inspections from next April, and landlords will need to demonstrate how they’re providing good quality homes and services for tenants as well as meeting our governance and viability standards."

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