The government has launched a consultation to allow social housing tenants to access information about the management of their homes. The link to the consultation is given below as this will impact on TMOs.
Inside Housing reports that
“Under the plans, information can be requested for free by a tenant or their representative, such as a lawyer.
This data could include health and safety inspections, repair actions and repair times, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) said.
Tenants experiencing damp and mould could request information on how many other homes in their building have the same problem, and what action the landlord has taken in terms of repair.
The DLUHC believes this will give tenants the tools they need to take further action if they choose.
Requests can be made for any information landlords hold about health and safety breaches in their properties and the outcomes of any inspections. On top of that, tenants could take further action through the Housing Ombudsman if their landlord is not making the repairs they are required to.
Under new rules brought in by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, landlords must fix emergency repairs within 24 hours. Tenants will be able to see how often their landlord is meeting this target, and challenge them through the courts or take them to the Housing Ombudsman if they do not.
Housing associations will also be forced to publish information about their performance.
Landlords will have to provide the information unless it is “reasonable not to”, with clear expectations on how landlords should respond to requests.
Where TMOs hold any of this information about homes under their management they will be required to provide these to the landlord upon request under the terms of the management agreement.
Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements – consultation
If your TMO wishes to respond to the consultation the closing date for submissions is 15th July 2024.