Social housing tenants will be encouraged to speak out against their landlords as part of a new government-funded training scheme launching today
Social housing tenants will receive a range of free advice on issues such as addressing dampness and mould and complaining about anti-social behaviour. In addition, the training programme will share information similar to that on TV shows such as ‘Watchdog’ or ‘Rip Off Britain’, offering advice so that tenants know their rights and how to access the Housing Ombudsman service.
Social housing tenants need a power to rebalance
The Four Million Homes programme, which has been backed by £500,000 of government funding, will encourage social housing tenants to take a more active role in the management of their homes. The programme’s introduction is part of a government move to help rebalance power between residents and landlords. The move has been supported by the Make Things Right campaign and the landmark Social Housing Regulation Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament.
The Make Things Right campaign funds training in the North West and London to support residents with housing issues. A recent survey found that out of 200 social housing residents in England, 65% found that their experiences of raising complaints with their landlord had been unsatisfactory.
The length of time for complaints to be addressed and resolved, disrespectful conduct, lack of communication, inaccuracy of the information and a lack of repercussions for landlords were all raised as issues in the study.
Social housing laws have recently been improved
Recent improvements to the Social Housing Regulation Bill, such as Awaab’s Law, meaning all social landlords will have to fix hazards like dampness and mould within a set time frame, have been made by the government to improve the experiences of social housing tenants. The new laws also require social housing managers to gain professional qualifications.
“Tenants deserve better, and this training programme will help people up and down the country demand a high-quality service from their landlord. We are driving up standards in social housing through landmark legislation and making sure residents’ voices are heard with digital advertisement campaigns,” said Baroness Scott.
The programme will be launched today (19 April 2023) at 3pm with an online event. Registration is open to all social housing tenants, and applicants can book upcoming online and in-person events on the Four Million Homes website.
Training events will begin in May and will run over 24 months, starting with ‘Exploring your right to engage and be heard’, which will advise residents on their rights and how to make complaints.
Face-to-face accredited training will be available in Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and London. Monthly webinars on topics such as addressing dampness and mould and anti-social behaviour will be available online. Online training videos will be live from September to ensure opportunities are accessible to all via the Four Million Homes website.
The programme is a ‘catalyst of change’ for the social housing sector
The programme has been with residents on the government’s 250-strong resident panel, who deliver advice on raising standards in social housing. More than 100 of these residents have volunteered to help shape content and campaigns on the programme through the Four Million Homes Resident Sounding Board.
“This programme is a catalyst for change in the social housing sector. It complements other government actions outlined in the Social Housing Regulation Bill and the Make Things Right campaign, leading to a better balance of power between landlords and residents,” said CCH chief executive, Blase Lambert.
“All social housing residents need to understand their rights, know how to raise issues with their landlords and hold them to account, and be able to shape and improve the services they receive and the homes they live in. This training programme will do that,” concluded Lambert.
