Social Housing (Regulation) Bill returns to the Lords

The Social Housing (Regulation) Bill aims to facilitate a new, proactive approach to regulating social housing landlords on consumer issues such as safety, transparency and tenant engagement, with new enforcement powers to tackle failing landlords. It aims to drive significant change in landlord behaviour to focus on the needs of their tenants and ensure landlords are held to account for their performance.

Consideration of amendments

The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 8 June and 31 October 2022, before passing to the House of Commons. 

Members of the Lords have now considered Commons changes (amendments) to the bill. Lords members agreed to all but one of Commons changes.

The amendment preivously agreed by MPs ensured that managers working for housing providers have - or are working towards - a specified qualification in housing management. Lords members agreed with the principle of the amendment, but opted to replace it with thier own expanded version, which:

• clarifies the differing definitions between 'services provider', 'senior housing executive' and 'senior housing manager'
• requires housing providers to ensure their employees hold relevant qualifications and update their training when necessary.

Catch up

• Read the text of Commons changes (PDF)
• Watch the Parliament TV recording
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Explore further information

Read background on the bill in the House of Lords Library Social Housing (Regulation) Bill briefing.

What's happened so far?

Third reading: Monday 31 October

Third reading is the chance for members to ‘tidy up' a bill, making small changes to ensure it is effective.    

No changes to the wording of the bill were put forward ahead of third reading. Members discussed the progress of the bill through the House at the conclusion of Lords stages.

Catch up

• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Report stage: Tuesday 18 October

Report stage is an extra chance for members to closely scrutinise elements of the bill and make changes.   

On Tuesday, members considered changes relating to:

• energy efficiency of social housing
• cladding and fire safety
• inspections and requiring managers of social housing to have relevant qualifications and expertise.

Lords Divisions

There were two divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill. 

Standards relating to energy demand

The first vote was on amendment 14, which would insert a new clause stating that the Secretary of State must, before the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the Act is passed, publish a strategy on reducing energy demand for social housing properties.

Members voted 189 in favour and 176 against, so the change was made.

Management of social housing

The second vote was on amendment 23, which would insert a new clause requiring managers of social housing to have appropriate qualifications and expertitise.

Members voted 171 in favour and 175 against, so the change was not made.

Get involved

• Read the text of proposed changes
• catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Committee stage: Tuesday 6 September

Committee stage is the first chance to check the bill in detail and make changes. 

Proposed changes  

Members speaking at committee stage put forward amendments (changes) to the bill to be discussed . 

The amendments covered a range of subjects including:

• energy efficiency to protect people living in social housing from high energy bills
• homelessness issues and standards for social housing landlords regarding homeless and potentially homeless households
• the regulation of compensation for tenants.

Catch up

• Read the text of proposed changes
• Catch up on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript

Second reading: Monday 27 June

Members discussed the main issues in the bill and drew attention to specific areas where they thought amendments (changes) were needed during second reading. Topics covered included:

• ensuring safe and secure homes for tenants
• the supply of social housing
• funding for the new regulatory regime
• improving the energy efficiency of homes. 

Members speaking

Lord Greenhalgh (Conservative), Minister for Building Safety and Fire, opened the debate and responded on behalf of the government.

Members speaking in the debate included:

• Lord Best (Crossbench), Chair, Centre for Social Justice Housing Commission
• Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative), former Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government
• Baroness Thornhill (Liberal Democrat), Liberal Democrat spokesperson for housing
• Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe (Labour), Chair of Board, The Property Ombudsman.

Find out more about the issue discussed: catch up on  Parliament TV or read a transcript in Lords Hansard. 

Image: Unsplash/ Greg Willson