The Charter for social housing views rental tenants as second class

Sam Wood
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What is the essence of the Charter for Social Housing?

In response to the Social Housing white paper, published on 17 November 2020, Professor Helen Carr and Dr Ed Kirton-Darling of Kent Law School explain the substance of the paper and reflect on what it means. They said:

‘The Social Housing white paper sets out several proposals to improve the performance of social landlords including strengthening the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman.

‘At the heart of the proposals is the Charter for social housing residents – it identifies seven expectations for social tenants:

  • To be safe in your home
  • To know how your landlord is performing
  • To have your complaints dealt with promptly and fairly
  • To be treated with respect
  • To have your voice heard by your landlord
  • To have a good quality home and neighbourhood to live in
  • To be supported to take your first step to ownership

‘It’s remarkable that a white paper is needed to achieve for social tenants what most people take for granted, and therefore it is important to view the Charter as a social and political project.

‘Firstly, the report’s reference to home ownership suggests this government continues to see rental housing as second class, which is inconsistent with the broader increase of respect for tenants.

‘In addition, this is less “building back better” and more an embarrassing U-turn, forced upon the government by the Grenfell tragedy. Less than ten years ago the Coalition’s “bonfire of the quangos” destroyed important initiatives; including Tenants Voice and the Tenant Services Authority.

‘Ultimately, why has the Government not awarded tenants legal rights to force social landlords to make their homes hazard free – as recommended in the report for Shelter: Closing the Gaps: Health and Safety in the Home?’

Professor Helen Carr and Dr Ed Kirton-Darling, Kent Law School, University of Kent

Professor Carr’s research interests centre on housing, homelessness and social justice.  She is interested in how law regulates those who are marginal to housing and property. Her interests go beyond security of tenure, considering, for instance, how law governs the distribution of housing resources, such as housing size, thermal comfort, building technologies, affordability and decency. She takes a feminist, socio-legal and interdisciplinary approach to her research.

Dr Kirton-Darling’s research interests include public and administrative law (in particular inquests & public inquiries), housing law, family law, social welfare law & homelessness law, and he is also broadly interested in questions of procedure, jurisdiction, legal & non-legal technicality, expertise, professionalism & lawyering, and the possibilities of justice.

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