Government warns ‘there will be consequences’ for landlords that fail new regulatory standards

The new consumer standards, published late last month, include a consumer (C) rating for landlords alongside existing viability (V) and governance (G) metrics.

The regulator will observe tenant scrutiny meetings at each landlord to see how residents’ voices are heard. The RSH has proposed doubling its fees to cover the cost of enforcing the new standard.

The rules require landlords to have an accurate record of the condition of every home that is based on property checks, set clear timelines for repairs and maintenance and give tenants opportunities to influence and scrutinise their landlord.

In addition, landlords must provide tenants with information about their rights and how to make complaints. They must publish new tenant satisfaction measures to make it clear how residents feel their landlord is performing.

On 2 April, the regulator wrote to chief executives of housing associations, informing them that the first wave of inspections of landlords was underway. Regulatory judgements containing the new consumer grades will be published after inspections. It added that “good landlords will have already started identifying and carrying out any changes they need to make”.

Baroness Scott said: “Everyone deserves a decent home and to be treated with fairness and respect. That’s why we are taking strong action to improve the quality of social housing and the services landlords provide. If landlords fail their residents, there will be consequences. 

“This is a significant milestone in our work to put right some of the issues laid bare by the devastating Grenfell Tower tragedy, and I have huge admiration for the bereaved families, survivors and community who have campaigned tirelessly for improvements in the sector.”

Fiona MacGregor, chief executive of the RSH, said: “We welcome the new powers, which will put our consumer regulation on an equal footing with our economic role.

“We will hold landlords to account for delivering the outcomes of our new consumer standards and drive improvement across the social housing sector, for the benefit of tenants.”

Kwajo Tweneboa, a social housing campaigner, said: “I hope this change in legislation will now mean a more proactive stance in scrutinising providers.

“For a long time, social housing providers have evaded accountability for providing substandard housing to many across the country.

“As someone who has experienced this first-hand, I hope this change in regulation will be enforced with maximum effect and put an end to the misery so many are going through.

“The recognition that a safe and decent home is a necessity to the lives of us all and isn’t exclusive to those living outside of social housing should, I hope, mean a new era for many millions across the UK.”

Last month, Karen Doran, director of regulatory engagement at the RSH, said housing associations could use the new consumer ratings to get better prices from insurers.