Following the tragic death of a two-year-old boy from a respiratory illness linked to damp and mould in social housing, many tenants understandably feel concerned about the safety of their homes.
This heartbreaking case highlighted serious failings in social housing standards. As a result, the Government introduced major reforms aimed at protecting tenants and improving accountability.
In the opening of the Social Housing White Paper, which forms the basis of many reforms in the Social Housing Regulation (SHR) Bill 2022–23, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson reflected on a visit he made to a damp and mould-infested council home in the 1980s.
He described how the physical conditions were appalling. However, what struck him most was the despair of a father who had complained repeatedly but felt completely ignored.
Mr Johnson explained that the White Paper aimed to create a system where social housing tenants are listened to and taken seriously. The SHR Bill 2022–23 seeks to turn that promise into law.
The Social Housing Regulation Bill 2022–23 delivers the proposals set out in the Social Housing White Paper and the 2019 Conservative Government Manifesto.
Specifically, the Bill aims to:
Ultimately, the legislation focuses on improving safety, transparency, and housing standards across the social housing sector.
The White Paper introduced a charter of expectations for social housing tenants. These standards include the right:
These principles form the foundation of the SHR Bill.
The SHR Bill 2022–23 introduces several key legal changes. These include:
In addition, the Regulator can now order emergency repairs where necessary. If this happens, the landlord must cover the cost.
Furthermore, the Regulator can intervene when homes fall below the Decent Homes Standard, ensuring quicker action when tenant safety is at risk.
Only time will tell. Initially, landlords and the Regulator will need to adjust to their new responsibilities.
However, the success of the legislation will depend heavily on how robustly the Regulator enforces the rules. Until then, tenants should not wait for conditions to worsen.
If you live in social housing and your home needs urgent repairs, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
At NJS Law, we specialise in housing disrepair claims for tenants across England and Wales. Our experienced legal team focuses on forcing landlords to carry out repairs and restoring homes to a safe, liveable condition.
We can help by:
Importantly, we act on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to you.
Our team has decades of combined experience handling housing disrepair claims. Above all, we are sympathetic, understanding, and committed to supporting you every step of the way.
If damp, mould, or serious disrepair affects your home, do not wait.
For fast, friendly affordable legal advice. Contact a member of our team today.
