A new bill is set to be introduced to parliament today (June 8) that will affect those who rent or let a property in the UK. Social housing landlords who are failing their tenants by putting them in unsuitable living conditions will face 'Ofsted-style' inspections and unlimited fines under the new Social Housing Regulation Bill.
The bill will grant the Regulator of Social Housing with stronger powers to issue limitless fines, enter properties with only 48 hours’ notice and make emergency repairs where there is a serious risk to tenants, with landlords picking up the bill.
This forms part of the Government's Levelling Up mission aimed at tackling damp, cold and unsafe homes to increase tenants’ rights to better homes and enhance their ability to hold their landlords to account.
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The bill will grant a “major reset” of the relationship between landlords and tenants, where under new satisfaction measures residents will be able to demand information and rate their landlord, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said.
Tenants will have a direct contact to the government with a 250-person residents panel that will gather three times a year to share their experiences with ministers, inform policy and help drive change.
The Government said the bill is the “latest step in addressing the systemic issues” identified following the Grenfell Tower fire, which comes as the fifth anniversary of the tower block blaze on June 14 2017 falls next week.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “In 2022 it is disgraceful that anyone should live in damp, cold and unsafe homes, waiting months for repairs and being routinely ignored by their landlord.
“These new laws will end this injustice and ensure the regulator has strong new powers to take on rogue social landlords.
“We are driving up the standards of social housing and giving residents a voice to make sure they get the homes they deserve. That is levelling up in action.”
Under the bill, landlords will need to have a named person who will be responsible for health and safety requirements.
The biggest social housing providers will face regular inspections, with Mr Gove committed to ‘naming and shaming’ those who fall short.
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