Crisis responds to Social Housing (Regulation) Act becoming law

The Social Housing (Regulation) Act has today (Thursday 20th July 2023) received Royal Assent, meaning it has now become law. The Act will introduce new legislation which will strengthen the regulation and oversight of social housing.

The Act will include changes made in the wake of the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, who died aged just two years old as a result of exposure to mould in his family’s social housing flat in Rochester. Such changes will require social housing landlords to fix reported hazards more quickly, or to rehouse tenants in safe accommodation.

Crisis continues to call for an increase in both the quality and quantity of genuinely affordable homes, with almost 1.5 million people currently on the social housing waiting list.

Matt Downie, Crisis Chief Executive, said: “The Social Housing Regulation Act passing into law is a huge win for social housing tenants who for too long have been ignored.

“The Act will finally begin to put right some of the countless horrors tenants have suffered from: flooded corridors, mouldy rooms and cramped conditions – absolutely no one should ever be forced to live like this or have their life put at risk because of poor conditions.

“But better regulation is only one part of the puzzle. The Westminster Government must build the social homes we need if we’re to tackle the housing crisis that is gripping this country. Only by doing this will we ensure that everyone can have somewhere safe, secure and decent to live.”