Social housing managers need qualifications under new law

Social housing managers must gain professional qualifications to ensure they will adequately protect tenants under new rules announced yesterday.

Mangers will be required to get a housing management qualification regulated by OfQual equivalent to a Level 4 or 5 Certificate or Diploma in Housing, or a foundation degree from the Chartered Institute of Housing.

The amendment is to be added to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill which is set to drive up housing standards, with tough new powers allowing regulators to enter properties with 48 hours’ notice to make emergency repairs at the landlords expense.

This follows sector reforms, such as Awaab’s Law, named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak who tragically died in 2020 due to dangerous social housing living conditions. The law will force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove said: ‘The Grenfell Tower tragedy and, more recently, the death of Awaab Ishak showed the devastating consequences of residents inexcusably being let down by poor performing landlords who consistently failed to listen to them.

‘We know that many social housing residents are not receiving the service or respect they deserve. The changes we are delivering today will make sure social housing managers across the country have the right skills and experience to deliver an excellent service and drive up standards across the board.’

Ministers say the need for qualifications will encourage culture change within the sector and will target managers who haven’t treated tenants adequately.

The new rules will bring social housing in line with other sectors, such as social work and healthcare services, with landlords who fail to meet requirements at risk of being hit with unlimited fines.

The boss of the housing association where Awaab died recently admitted that there were more than 1,800 homes within the association that had issues with damp.

Approximately 120,000 to 160,000 social homes across the UK are also thought to have ‘notable’ issues with mould, according to the Regulator of Social Housing.

Photo by Norbert Levajsics