Reviewing access to homes

The government has recognised that the challenges social landlords face in accessing residents’ homes need to be resolved. Following joint work by the NHF, the CIH and National Federation of ALMOs, the government has committed to launching a consultation to examine access challenges and develop solutions. In consultation with social landlords and residents, the government will also develop much-needed good practice guidance on access.

You can read the government’s full response online, including Minister for Housing and Planning Matthew Pennycook’s appreciation of the role played by sector representatives in providing input and expertise. The NHF and our members have been raising the issue of access for some time – this is a significant development.

While the majority of access requests are resolved without issue, there are a few cases where social landlords have been unable to carry out essential safety checks and other works because they are not able to access the home. Not only does this compromise the safety of residents, it also imposes considerable costs on landlords and makes it harder for them to fulfil their obligations. As a range of new obligations have been placed on the sector, this issue has become more salient. We have been clear that landlords need the powers to fulfil their obligations and keep residents safe, and that reforms to the process of gaining access to residents’ homes are therefore necessary.

The NHF and other sector representatives put forward an amendment to the Social Housing Bill that sought to establish a clear legal route for social landlords to gain access to residents’ homes for essential safety checks and works, where reasonable attempts to secure access have been exhausted. The initial amendment was drafted narrowly to match the overall intent of the Bill, and its core purpose was always to raise the profile of this issue and secure a firm commitment from government to address it.

Accessing a resident's home is a sensitive issue that involves balancing the obligations of the social landlord with the rights of residents, and we therefore welcome the government’s commitment to a consultation and collaboratively producing good practice guidance. The NHF will work closely with our membership to ensure that your views and experiences are fully and properly represented.