
4 minute read
Putting People Before Policy: Will Tenant Engagement Increase?
Ensuring that people are at the heart of housing policy, social tenants are getting unprecedented opportunities to scrutinise landlord’s strategies and policies under new proposals due to be finalised by April 2023.
Looking to revise the ways in which the Regulator of Social Housing operates to increase the level of involvement from tenants and improve overall tenant engagement.
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The UK government say this will give more power to social housing residents to hold landlords to account.
Section 197 will allow changes to be made
These changes can be implemented under section 197 of the 2008 Act, which gives the Secretary of State the power to direct the Regulator of Social Housing (‘the Regulator’) in relation to specific matters. Once issued, the Regulator must comply with the direction. They propose to use this power to:
(a) Revoke the ‘Tenant involvement and empowerment and ’Mutual exchange’ paragraphs of the Directions on Regulatory Standards made by the Secretary of State on 1 March 2012; and
(b) Direct the Regulator to set revised regulatory standards (and the content of those standards) on tenant involvement and mutual exchange and to have regard to specified objectives when setting the tenant involvement standard.
These directions will apply to the social housing stock of all registered providers of social housing, unless specifically exempted. The term ‘registered providers’ encompasses:
• Private registered providers (including housing associations)
• Local authority registered providers (i.e. local authorities with social housing)
In a statement, a spokesperson explained: “The government has committed to implementing a proactive consumer regulatory regime for social housing. This forms part of wider changes, outlined in the Social Housing White Paper, to ensure tenants are fully protected, have decent quality homes and are treated with fairness and respect.”
New direction for the regulator to be implemented
The Secretary of State has the power to direct the Regulator on certain aspects of its regulatory standard. This consultation proposes revoking the ‘Tenant involvement and empowerment’ and ‘Mutual exchange’ paragraphs of the Directions on Regulatory Standards made by the Secretary of State on 1 March 2012 and issuing new directions relating to tenant involvement and mutual exchange.
Additionally, they currently have powers of direction relating to the quality of accommodation, tenancy and rent, which will not be consulted on at this stage. The rent direction was recently consulted on, given the need to provide certainty on rent levels as quickly as possible.
The government says it is committed to reviewing the Decent Homes Standard and plans to review the direction on the quality of accommodation alongside any changes to the Decent Homes Standard. The tenancy standard will be revised alongside any changes to Assured Shorthold Tenancies made through the Renters’ Reform Bill.
Tenants at the heart of new policy and services
The Social Housing Regulation Bill introduces two new powers of direction: provision of information to tenants and competency and conduct. Subject to Royal Assent, they will direct on these in due course.
The new directions include a number of small but important changes to support the smooth implementation of the new consumer regime. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, they intend to issue the new directions to the Regulator in spring 2023.
Once issued formally, the directions will be binding on the Regulator. The Regulator will subsequently conduct a statutory consultation with tenants, providers and other stakeholders on its revision of consumer standards for registered providers of social housing (‘registered providers’). As such, these directions may have an impact on the revision of standards which will affect registered providers and their social housing tenants. These regulatory changes support the overall reform objectives, as set out in the Bill impact assessment: to facilitate a new, proactive approach to consumer regulation so providers of social housing can be effectively held to account for the services they provide to tenants.
The proposed directions have no predetermined end date, but they may be subject to change or revision. Any further amendments or changes will require further consultation.
Overall, at the heart of the new directions from the Secretary of State for housing will include a requirement for social landlords to give tenants the opportunity to “scrutinise” strategies, policies and services.
How to Win More Bids in 2023
Q: With SMEs fighting larger companies for the same contracts, how can SMEs stand out from the crowd if they don’t have the same experience and success stories?
Andrew: What I'd say is to take a look at the procurement strategy of the buying organisation. Often they'll have a published procurement strategy. The UK government, once, for example, said they want to see 50% of public sector contracts being delivered by SMEs there.
But SMEs themselves want to get contracts in their own right. So what I say is start going for the smaller contracts, prove your evidence rather than maybe going for a big contract straight away. It's also important that you manage your relationships.
I would suggest going for some of the opportunities for work from the energy companies because that is a way as a way of getting work, perhaps without the need to offer a very formal tender process.
Andrew Morrison Founder & BD Director, AM Bid

Jim Williams Commercial Director, World Kinect Energy Services
Jim: My tip would be as Andrew said, and start small. Look to build on your existing experiences, speak with your clients as well and get as much information to build on your processes and your accreditations. Always work very closely with your existing clients to understand the value that you bring.

Additionally, get some support as well and make sure that you're bidding the right kind of bids to suit the financial thresholds of some of these bids. If you're returning over £1,000,000 you shouldn’t be bidding on £1,000,000 contracts. It's very difficult for you then to meet the financial thresholds. So again, just work on that and start small, be very close with your existing customers and get as much evidence as you can and build on the success that you've done in the private sector and bring it into the public sector.

Cymru
Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff
11 July 2023