For the first time, domestic abuse survivors are given greater protection in social housing law to keep their tenancy and stay in their homes under strengthened amendments to the Social Housing Bill announced earlier this week. Social landlords will have a clearer route to seek possession against domestic abuse perpetrators where a protective order is already in place, under amendments to the Social Housing Bill.

The key change would allow courts to consider whether possession is reasonable on the basis of an existing Domestic Abuse Protection Order or Non-Molestation Order, without requiring that order to have been breached. Ministers say this would help streamline and accelerate proceedings. Possession would remain subject to the court’s discretion.

Those existing proposals include a mechanism to transfer a joint tenancy into the survivor’s sole name, alongside safeguards preventing perpetrators from unilaterally ending a joint tenancy in retaliation during possession proceedings. Courts would also be able to require suitable alternative accommodation where remaining in the home is inappropriate and the landlord has accommodation available.

A further amendment would ensure the perpetrator’s interest in the joint tenancy ends when the court makes an order allowing the survivor to remain as sole tenant or requiring suitable alternative accommodation.

The announcement also sets out changes affecting the wider sector. These include reforms to the council housing Right to Manage, allowing councils to designate eligible rural areas for Right to Buy exemptions, and extending the proposed notification period before social housing disposals from four to eight weeks.

Separately, the government confirmed that Tenant Management Organisations managing council housing will come under Freedom of Information rules from April 2027. Residents would be able to request information about services including repairs, estate management and rent collection.

The package also takes forward previously announced homelessness measures, including a Duty to Collaborate and requirements for housing associations to offer accommodation to households referred by councils unless there is good reason not to. These measures were announced in September.

The Bill’s amendments remain subject to parliamentary approval.