Ministers to summon landlords who provide substandard social housing in England

Ministers “appoint and embarrass” landlords who provide poor social housing. There are also plans to set up a ‘resident committee’ to allow social tenants to be heard ‘live by the government’, where 250 people from across England will be invited to share their experiences.

This is the idea of ​​the Department of Housing, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The reforms to be implemented through legislation include unsuccessful public harassment of landlords on the government’s website and social media channels.

This includes those who have violated consumption standards set by the social housing regulator, or if the housing ombudsman finds that they have been “severely mismanaged”. At the same time, it will give the tenant residents a chance to give their views on how to improve the quality of social housing, said DLUHC.

“The committee will allow residents to review and influence measures to improve the standard of adequate housing,” he added. “Employee training and qualifications, a new information access system and other planned reforms.”

Eddie Hughes, Minister for Social Housing, said: “Everyone in this country deserves to live in a safe and decent home. No one is allowed to have to cover the walls with the risk of mold, slipping on the wet floor or water droplets from the ceiling.

We have published a bill to tighten regulations for social housing owners, including naming and insulting landlords who do not meet acceptable standards of living, and to provide employers with a direct channel to express their concerns with the government. This package will help us fulfill our commitment with the Leveling Up White Paper to halve the number of unscrupulous rental homes by 2030.”

The commission will be supported by a nationwide survey where about 5,000 residents are asked to share their opinions on landlord services in March and April 2022. It will be used to monitor the impact of the reforms.