On Thursday 20th July 2023, significant reforms to Social Housing were ushered in when the Government’s Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 (‘the Act’) was granted Royal Assent. Adel Jibs & Co Solicitors are on hand to guide you through what these changes mean for tenants.
Central to this Act is the commitment to improving living conditions for tenants, ensuring they don’t have to endure damp, cold, or unsafe homes. It empowers tenants by holding landlords and social housing providers more accountable.
This progressive move was driven by several incidents that exposed the dire state of some social housing provisions. The Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in June 2017 starkly emphasised the need for drastic changes in social housing regulations. The Act is a testament to the Government’s dedication to ensuring such incidents don’t recur by enhancing the roles of the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman.
Another heart-wrenching incident that spotlighted the urgency of these reforms was the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak due to prolonged exposure to mould in a Rochdale Borough Public outcry and extensive media coverage led to “Awaab’s Law”, a pivotal amendment to the bill. This amendment mandates social landlords to promptly address and investigate tenants’ reports within stipulated timeframes. The exact timeframes are still pending, but the overarching goal is clear: ensuring no more lives are lost due to neglect.
With approximately four million households residing in rented social housing in England, nearly one-fifth of the nation’s total households, the implications of this Act are far-reaching.
At Adel Jibs & Co Solicitors, we are committed to safeguarding your rights. If you or your family are grappling with subpar housing conditions posing serious health or safety threats, we urge you to reach out. Our dedicated housing team is ready to assess and assist with your concerns.
