Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has set out plans to overhaul the statutory Right to Manage framework for council tenants through the Social Housing Bill.
The scheme allows tenants to create a tenant management organisation and take responsibility for services such as repairs, estate maintenance and resident engagement. The framework has not been substantially updated since 2012.
A government review running from January to June this year found that take-up had fallen and that many existing organisations were operating with limited staffing and volunteer capacity. Stakeholders also reported complex set-up procedures and poor access to advice, training and funding.
The review identified outdated management agreements, unclear divisions of responsibility and inconsistent information sharing. It said responsibilities for major works, emergency planning and building safety were not always clear.
Ministers intend to use the Social Housing Bill to establish updated rules for setting up and running tenant management organisations. The changes will cover governance, ballots, information sharing and regular updates to management agreements.
The reforms will also strengthen intervention powers where serious mismanagement or risks to residents' safety arise. Registered housing providers will remain accountable to the Regulator of Social Housing.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will consult before introducing secondary legislation and updated guidance. It will also consider whether the statutory right should be extended to housing-association tenants.
