Members only

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 precipitated a re-evaluation of social housing regulation in England. Government released a series of consultation papers which would see the re-introduction of consumer regulation for the sector. The new regime would apply equally to housing associations and local authorities. The Bill published in June 2022 also confirmed that regulation in future would address economic and consumer standards on an equal basis.

The new legislation will see the return of housing inspection, the publication of a new set of key performance indicators and the introduction of revamped and extended consumer standards (amongst other measures).

Landlords will need to be up to speed with the expectations placed on them by the strengthened regulatory framework.  Social landlords were last subject to a detailed scrutiny of their performance as landlords during the 2000s. The coalition government effectively abandoned consumer regulation in 2010. So there is a lot of catching up to do.

What will be covered?

This session examines the major changes contained in the Bill:

• New consumer standards
• Inspection
• The role of the Housing Ombudsman
• Health and safety issues
• Awaab’s law – dealing with defective housing
• Accountability/transparency/performance information
• Tenant Satisfaction Measures
• Performance Improvement Plans
• Professionalisation of the housing service
• The regulator’s advisory panel
• ..and more.

It also includes an update on related developments such as the Review of the Decent Homes Standard.

Who should attend?

Everyone needs to be on top of the forthcoming regulation:

• Board members/councillors with a housing responsibility
• Senior executives/managers
• Housing managers
• Asset managers
• Managers and staff responsible for housing strategy, health and safety, complaints, compliance, communications, data management, tenant involvement and training.

What will delegates take away?

Delegates will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legislation and its implications for housing providers.

They will be able to check if their organisations are prepared for the new framework and whether they would ‘pass’ an inspection by the regulator.

Where an organisation is not deemed ‘up to speed’, tips will provided to help landlords comply with the provisions set out in the new regulatory framework.

Roger Jarman, former Head of Housing at the Audit Commission and HQN associate

Roger Jarman is a long standing HQN associate. He provides consultancy services; leads training programmes; and writes on housing regulation and other matters. He is the author of HQN’s Social Housing White Paper toolkit and delivers a range of training sessions on the White Paper proposals. He is also a Non Executive Director of two housing organisations. From 1991 until 1999 he was Head of Housing Management at the Housing Corporation and then from 1999 until 2011 he was Head of Housing at the Audit Commission overseeing the 1400 housing inspections undertaken by the Commission during that period. He was a member of the team that produced the Cave Review of social housing regulation in 2007.

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing.