Understanding the Upcoming Consumer Standards in Social Housing: An Overview

Here DTP’s Diane Carney CIHCM gives an overview of the new Consumer Standards in social housing, which are set to take effect from April 2024.

A Significant Policy Update

Earlier this year, the Social Housing Act achieved royal assent, offering a revised framework for consumer regulation. The Regulator of Social Housing, following the Act’s guidelines, has established new regulatory standards for registered providers. Published in July, these are currently under consultation until 17 October. If you are a stakeholder in this sector, this is your time to contribute your thoughts.

Assessing the Current Scenario

Before delving into what's new, let's talk about the current standards that were rolled out in 2012. According to the latest data, there's been a 44% increase in referrals, notably in self-referrals where providers report potential or actual breaches. With the removal of the 'serious detriment test' in the new standards, this allows for a lower threshold for regulator intervention. This signals a heightened need for providers to maintain utmost compliance.

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Major Overhauls in the Standards

Safety and Quality Standard

Replacing the current Home Standard, this focuses more on a thorough understanding of a provider's housing stock condition. Unlike the traditional sampling methods, providers are now expected to have detailed, up-to-date documentation based on physical assessments. This might prove challenging in terms of surveyor capacity and the costs involved in a full stock condition survey.

Transparency, Influence, and Accountability Standard

This new standard aims to supersede the existing Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard. It aims to instil a sense of fairness, respect and transparency in the way providers interact with their tenants. For instance, tenants will now have more influence on the timescales for repairs, shaping a more tenant-centric approach.

Implications for Housing Providers

In terms of day-to-day operations, the changes can be both rewarding and challenging. While the regulator still allows flexibility in how services are delivered, providers should be prepared for higher scrutiny, especially concerning the newly revised standards.

The Road Ahead: Recommended Steps

If you’re a housing provider, you should start by familiarising yourself with these new standards. I can’t stress enough the importance of self-assessment, as this can act as a robust diagnostic tool. Once done, it would be prudent to map out a strategic action plan aimed at compliance. These plans should be transparent and could be shared with board members and tenants alike.

How DTP is here to help

At DTP, we offer comprehensive support for housing providers navigating these changes. From conducting self-assessments and gap analyses to providing in-depth training on the new standards, we can support.

For an informal discussion contact ?[email protected]. Also, keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

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