Industry News


Better Social Housing review aims to improve quality of social housing


Te Better Social Housing review, launched earlier this year by the CIH and NHF, has begun the second phase of its work with a call for views from as many different people and organisations as possible with an interest in social housing in England. Te review’s aim is to address the poor quality


of some social housing and the unacceptable conditions some tenants are having to live in. Led by an independent panel, it will assess the physical, cultural, and economic reasons why some social housing is falling short of basic standards for tenants in areas such as maintenance and repairs and the responsiveness of housing providers to their tenants. It was established in the wake of a series of


ITN investigations into the poor service and living conditions endured by social housing tenants in different parts of the country. Tis was reinforced by a number of high-profile investigations by the Housing Ombudsman, resulting in severe maladministration findings against a number of social landlords. Te members of the panel leading this


review have been meeting with stakeholder organisations since the beginning of August to gather insights and evidence on the issues involved. During September and October they


continued to meet with a wide range of organisations including social housing providers, central and local government, regulators, and charities. Tey also held series of face-to-face meetings with tenants and customer-facing housing staff. Two surveys were launched alongside the


stakeholder meetings with one version for tenants and another for all other stakeholders. Te findings from these will directly contribute to the final report and recommendations for change which the panel will make to Government and those who develop and manage social housing by the end of the year. Helen Baker, chair of the Better Social


Housing Review, said: “All social housing should feel like a home, a place for people to feel secure and safe, where they can live well and thrive. But we know this isn’t always the case, and the poor quality of some social housing has very much been in the spotlight recently. “Tis is an opportunity to listen to those who


experience the kinds of issues being raised so that we can address them head on. Te panel is committed to delivering a thorough review, culminating in practical, workable solutions for a better way forward.”


New standards for privately rented homes outlined


A


consultation has been launched by the Government on introducing a new Decent Homes Standard to the private rented


sector for the first time and as part of a drive to halve the number of poor-quality rented homes by 2030. Millions of renters could benefit from a set of


improved standards for rented homes, in one of the biggest reforms of the private rented sector in 30 years. Te social housing sector has already been subject to a Decent Homes Standard since 2001 and over the last decade poor quality social housing has reduced by over a third. Te proposals aim to make private landlords


legally bound to make sure their property meets a reasonable standard, with a particular emphasis on safety and security. Te consultation will run until mid October. Te majority of landlords in the private rented


sector already meet high standards but a minority are failing to meet these, with over a fiſth of the 4.4 million privately rented homes in England in a poor condition. Te consultation asks whether privately rented


homes should be required to be kept in a good state of repair with efficient heating, suitable facilities, and free from serious hazards like major damp or fire risks. Te consultation seeks views on whether such new standards should be introduced and how they should be enforced. It is estimated that private landlords will receive


£9.3 billion in rent for homes that fail to meet the proposed standard this year, of which £3 billion is funded by the state from housing benefit. Housing Secretary Greg Clark said: “I want to


see a thriving private rented sector, but that does not mean that tenants should have to suffer homes that are not of decent standard. Tis consultation asks what the minimum standard for privately rented homes should be.”


SIMPLIFYING EXISTING LAWS Responding to the consultation launch, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Standards in the private rented sector are generally good and continue to improve. Te Government’s should focus on making it easier for private landlords, tenants and councils to understand what is expected of them by simplifying the almost 170 laws already affecting the sector. “Te plans need to recognise crucial


differences between private and social rented housing, including in the age and types of properties in each. In the end, all the laws in the world will do nothing without improved enforcement against the minority of landlords


10 | HMMOctober/November 2022 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk


who tarnish the reputation of the responsible, law- abiding majority. Tat requires properly resourced councils tackling the criminals and rogues, while allowing the responsible majority to easily prove their home is safe and compliant.” Alicia Kennedy, Director of Generation Rent


said: “We welcome these plans to extend the Decent Homes Standard to private rented homes. As the private rented sector has grown to overtake the social sector in size, not enough action has been taken on the poorer conditions private tenants must put up with. Private rented homes are more costly to heat and at a higher risk of disrepair and damp problems. “Tere is no reason why private tenants should


expect a worse service than social tenants. Tis crucial measure will help tenants get value for money, whoever they rent from, and stop landlords from profiting by cutting corners. Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at Chartered


Institute of Housing said: “All renters should be able to live in decent, well maintained homes. We welcome the commitment to introduce a new Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector as part of the government’s new deal for renters. We look forward to seeing the details set out in the consultation and discussing the proposals with our members.” Te introduction of a Decent Homes Standard


in the private rented sector was outlined in the Government’s Fairer private rented sector white paper in June.


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