Consultation on directions to the Regulator of Social Housing: tenant rights and complaints

The Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 is now law, delivering key reforms from the Social Housing White Paper. This is aimed at improving regulation, strengthening tenants' rights, and ensuring better quality, safer homes.

A key element of the Act is the introduction of Awaab's Law, which provides greater protection for social housing residents. The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has opened a consultation as part of Awaab's Law relating to standards on tenants' rights and complaints.

DLUHC is proposing directions requiring the Regulator of Social Housing to introduce standards on:

• Tenants' rights regarding their homes
• How tenants can complain against their landlord
• Relevant regulatory requirements concerning homes, facilities and services

Once finalised, the standards will become mandatory for all registered housing providers. This represents a sea change - tenants will have clearly defined rights and complaint processes.

We strongly encourage all housing associations to participate in the consultation and share your insights. Your feedback will directly inform the final standards adopted by the Regulator.

This is an important opportunity to help shape an improved system of protection for social housing residents. Our response will represent the sector, so your feedback directly shapes our submission. 

Working together, we can ensure the new standards work effectively for the sector and social housing residents.

Please send consultation responses or feedback to socialhousingreg@housing.org.uk by 3 November 2023.