The new government provides an opportunity for a reset in social housing. Here are our recommended ‘must-dos’ for the first 100 days:
- Rethink regulatory control of the social housing sector – There is an opportunity to rethink the scope of Awaab’s Law, which despite setting out to protect the health and wellbeing of social housing tenants, is too broad and all-encompassing to be effective. Policymakers must listen to the concerns of registered providers who are struggling financially due to inadequate funding and the rising cost of repair and maintenance programmes. Some social housing is more than 200 years old and complying with regulations such as Awaab’s Law and the new Consumer Standards is simply not doable. The problem of mould and condensation must be addressed to protect tenants’ health and wellbeing, but why are social housing landlords being singled out and shouldn’t tenants in the private sector be protected similarly? A reset is needed to ensure that registered providers are being treated fairly.
- It’s not too late to do more with the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act – Some aspects of the new legislation are due to take effect on 24th July, but the implementation of most of its provisions is for Labour to sort. Whilst the Act has been helpful in changing the definition of ‘residential leasehold tenure’, and introducing some important benefits for leaseholders, it doesn’t go far enough. A new and improved Commonhold tenure would be better suited to the 21st century and should be introduced as a replacement.
- Revive the Renters’ Reform Bill – The new Labour Government should go ahead with plans to revive the Renters’ Reform Bill, facilitating the abolition of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and other steps to protect renters from exploitation.
- Prioritise the provision of more social and affordable housing – The new Labour Government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes for sale and social rent in the next five years. It aims to achieve this through the reform of planning and land development policies to increase the supply of affordable homes to rent and to buy. The new Housing Minister should also proceed with plans to recruit more planning officers and reform Compulsory Purchase Order and planning codes.
- Press ahead with new towns – To achieve its ambitious target to deliver 1.5 million new homes in five years, the new Labour Government will have to press ahead with its plans to develop five ‘new towns’ during its first term in office. Each new town is expected to comprise c. 30-40,000 new homes. Labour has already said that it knows where these towns should be located but has not disclosed any more detail. The new Government must now see through its plans to deliver more housing, regardless of how unpopular it might make them in certain constituencies. Creating much-needed new homes will bring important benefits for local economies and it’s a strategy that should be welcomed by all.