PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Social Rented Housing: Regulation (1 December 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the difference there will be in the powers that will be available to the proposed non-departmental public body for the regulation of social housing compared to those powers that were previously available to the Tenant Services Authority.

Asked by:
Mr Clive Betts (Labour)

Legislation passed in the 2011 Localism Act gave the Social Housing Regulator (part of the Homes and Communities Agency) a stronger, more proactive role in economic regulation, and a more reactive approach to regulation of consumer standards than its predecessor; the Tenant Services Authority. The regulatory framework defines a clear remit with respect to consumer regulation; where a failure to meet consumer standards has caused, or may cause, serious detriment.

The Regulator’s transition to an independent entity will not change its statutory powers or objectives. This is solely an administrative change.

Answered by:
Lord Barwell (Conservative)
6 December 2016