Consultation on Direction to the Regulator of Social Housing on provision of information to tenants in regards to tenants’ rights and complaints

Overview

This consultation seeks views on a proposed direction from the Secretary of State to the Regulator of Social Housing using powers under section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 as amended.  

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 requires the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to give a direction to the Regulator of Social Housing for the purpose of securing that registered providers of social housing are required to provide their tenants of low cost rental accommodation with information about— (a) their tenants’ rights in connection with the low cost rental accommodation and with facilities or services provided in connection with that accommodation, and (b) how their tenants can make a complaint against them. 

Once issued, the Regulator must comply with the direction.This consultation seeks views on the direction as drafted.

Why your views matter

The tragic death of Awaab Ishak reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that social housing tenants can hold their landlords to account. The government is committed to ensuring that tenants are fully protected, have decent quality homes and are treated with fairness and respect. To help achieve this, it has committed to implementing a proactive consumer regulatory regime for social housing.

The Secretary of State has the power to direct the Regulator on certain aspects of its regulatory standards. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 introduced two new powers of direction: provision of information to tenants, and competency and conduct. This consultation sets out proposals to direct the Regulator to introduce requirements relating to the provision of information to tenants relating to complaints and tenants’ rights.

These proposals were part of the Awaab’s Law campaign led by the Manchester Evening News and Shelter. More widely, the Government is ensuring that hazards in social homes must be addressed quickly. This will be the subject of a future consultation.

Subject to the outcome of this consultation, we will formally issue the direction to the Regulator. The direction will be binding on the Regulator. It is important we get this direction right, which is why we invite your views on the questions listed.