BARNSLEY FEDERATION OF TENANTS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS
“Working together
to promote shared
values
in the
interest of all Barnsley Tenants and Residents”
Regulation and Standards in Social Housing
In December 2006, the government commissioned Professor Martin Cave to undertake an independent review of the way social housing was regulated. His review argued that there was a clear need for reform, to reduce the burden of regulation on landlords and to introduce greater protection, choice and involvement for tenants in social housing in England. He introduced the phrase "Every tenant matters".
As a result, in December 2008, the Housing Regeneration Act 2008 came into being. This act disolved the Housing Corporation and created the Tenant Services Authority (often called the TSA for short). It also put in place the framework for the Tenant Services Authority to set standards for local authorities and well as housing associations.
Regulatory framework for social housing in England from April 2010
Social housing providers have to meet the standards of a new regulatory framework from April 2010. At its heart are six standards, and against each of these, the TSA have described the outcomes landlords should meet and specific expectations of them.
The six standards cover:
- Tenant involvement and empowerment – which contains requirements relating to customer service, choice and complaints; involvement and empowerment; and understanding and responding to diverse needs of tenants
- Home – which contains requirements relating to quality of accommodation; and repairs and maintenance
- Tenancy – which contains requirements relating to allocations; rent*; and tenure
- Neighbourhood and community – which contains requirements relating to neighbourhood management; local area co-operation; and anti-social behaviour
- Value for money
- Governance and financial viability*
* This standard or part of the standard does not apply to local authorities.
The Bernesai Challenge, the scrutiny process that Barnsley Federation is setting up to scrutinise the work of Berneslai Homes, in build around the standards above.