The Regulator of Social Housing has today (7 November 2023) launched a consultation on updated statutory guidance which sets out how it proposes to use its powers.
RSH's existing powers were strengthened by the Social Housing Regulation Act, which received Royal Assent in July 2023. Most come into effect in April next year.
RSH will continue to consider using its powers when social landlords both fail to deliver the outcomes set in regulatory standards and cannot or will not put things right. RSH will also continue to have a proportionate approach and consider each case individually, and the first priority will be for landlords to identify and address issues themselves.
The types of issues that may lead to RSH using its powers include serious failings that put tenants and their homes at risk, financial viability issues, and failure to comply with regulatory standards despite intensive engagement and other regulatory interventions.
RSH's proposed statutory guidance explains the situations where it may use its powers, as well as the process for using them.
The consultation is running for 10 weeks, finishing on Tuesday 16 January 2024.
Jonathan Walters, Deputy Chief Executive at RSH, said:
Our stronger powers will help deliver long-lasting change that improves landlords' services to tenants. We will continue to have a proportionate approach and require landlords to fix problems when they fail to deliver the outcomes required in the standards. But if they don't, we have a range of tools to make them put things right.
We encourage tenants, landlords and others in the sector to take part in this important consultation.
Notes
-
RSH's new and amended powers are set out in Annex 1 of its consultation document. The amendments include stronger powers in relation to insolvencies as well as increased powers to appoint managers. The new powers include the ability to require a registered provider to prepare and implement a performance improvement plan.
-
The use of powers consultation is part of RSH's ongoing work to prepare for its stronger role in regulating the social housing sector, which will begin on 1 April 2024. RSH has also recently consulted on a new set of consumer standards which will protect tenants and improve the service they receive from landlords. RSH is also consulting on proposed changes to the way it charges fees to landlords, to ensure it has the resources, skills and capacity to deliver its stronger role.
-
RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver and maintain homes of appropriate quality that meet a range of needs. 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 these standards are breached and there is a significant risk of serious detriment to tenants or potential tenants.
-
For press office
