RSH will have power to issue social landlords with unlimited fines.
The Regulator of Social Housing is asking the sector for views on how it should use extensive new powers to regulate providers.
The RSH has launched a 10-week consultation on powers it is being granted under the Social Housing (Regulation) Act, which aims to improve standards in social housing properties.
The RSH will have the power to issue unlimited fines for poor performance, to enter properties at short notice to take emergency remedial action and to more easily appoint managers to providers. The bar for intervention on consumer cases will also be lowered.
Jonathan Walters, deputy chief executive at RSH stressed that the RSH’s approach will be “proportionate” and the first priority will be for landlords to identify and fix issues themselves.
The consultation paper said the powers to access homes to carry out works will only be used where “immediately necessary to remove the imminent risk of harm.”
RSH proposes to use its new powers where there are serious failings that put tenants and homes at risk, financial viability issues, and failure to comply with standards despite other interventions.
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The Social Housing (Regulation) Act was introduced amid concern about conditions in social housing homes following the death of toddler Awaab Ishak due to black mould in a property managed by Rochdalewide borough Housing.
Walters said: “Our stronger powers will help deliver long-lasting change that improves landlords’ services to tenants.
”We will continue to have a proportionate approach and require landlords to fix problems when they fail to deliver the outcomes required in the standards. But if they don’t, we have a range of tools to make them put things right.
“We encourage tenants, landlords and others in the sector to take part in this important consultation.”
RSH is also consuiting separately on changes to its consumer standards.
The consultation runs until 16 January.
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