Parliament agreed an amendment to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill this week to ensure that managers working in organisations delivering housing management services on behalf of social landlords are covered by the same professional qualification requirements as directly employed staff.

Government said the amendment reflected its original policy intention. It means that those contracted or delegated to provide housing management for registered providers must ensure their managers either have or are working towards the relevant housing qualifications required in the bill. Registered providers will need to include clauses in contracts to that effect, so that they can take action if delegated organisations are not compliant.

The amendment is among the final changes to the bill before it receives Royal Assent. There will be a consultation on the required standards. The main provisions of the bill will come into force next April.

Edit: The Bill received Royal Assent on 20 July, becoming the new Social Housing (Regulation) Act.