Press Release

Wide engagement shows stakeholder support for TSA’s proposed standards for landlords

Date: 15 October 2009      Ref: TSA 52/09

Results published this week show there is broad support from key stakeholders for the Tenant Services Authority’s (TSA) proposed regulatory approach and standards for landlords.

Over 700 responses from stakeholders, landlords and tenants were received to the TSA’s discussion paper on its draft standards which will apply to landlords from Spring 2010 to improve services to tenants. The information is being used to influence the design of the TSA’s new regulatory standards and builds on the 27,000 responses to the first phase of the National Conversation which took place earlier this year.

What stakeholders said:

The Local Government Association (LGA)  
‘We share the broad vision set out in the paper of a regulatory framework that encourages landlords and tenants to work together in setting aspirations for and delivery of high quality services , and expanding the availability of choice wherever possible.’                     

Tenant and Residents Organisations of England (TAROE)
TAROE highlighted the following positive features:
• The co-regulatory approach is welcomed as a means of empowering tenants to shape the services they receive and hold their landlord to account
• The range of standards that have been selected are appropriate
• The increased focus on the development of local standards is welcomed
• Close regulatory scrutiny of viability is welcomed and considered essential to maintain the confidence of lenders.

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)
‘We believe that the proposals for the new regulatory framework, taken as a whole, will help to raise the quality of services that tenants receive from their landlord. The clear shift in approach, focusing on outcomes for tenants rather than processes or targets, is particularly welcome. However, we are clear that this emphasis on outcomes should first and foremost be shaped by tenant’s views and options. There is a clear need for the promotion of this focus, but in a way that is not too prescriptive.’

TPAS
‘TPAS considered that its own membership structure, based upon a partnership between RPs and tenant organisations shows the benefits of such a co-operative working arrangement.  We consider co-regulation as central to the success of the proposed new regulatory regime.’

Phil Morgan, TSA Executive Director Tenant Services said, “Our key stakeholders have shown that they are broadly supportive of our proposals for a new regulatory framework. However, they have also given us food for thought on areas they feel require further thinking.

“”We will be working closely with them on the standards to ensure they have genuine ownership and acceptance across the domain.”

Responses from landlords and stakeholders are now available.

The statutory consultation will begin in November.

Ends.

For media enquiries, contact the press office on 020 7393 2094/2118/2115 or by email pressoffice@tsa.gsx.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

1) Breakdown of responses:
Formal written submissions 325
Local Conversation feedback 406
Total 731

2) The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is the independent regulator for affordable housing. It launched on 1 December 2008 and currently regulates housing associations. From spring 2010, subject to Parliamentary approval, the TSA will also regulate other providers of social housing, such as local authorities and arm’s-length management organisations.

3) As part of its National Conversation, the TSA is consulting with social housing tenants across five million households and their landlords to develop new standards to improve services for tenants, and will apply to all social landlords.  The TSA will be consulting on these draft standards, which will include standards on anti social behaviour, later in the autumn.

4) Initially the TSA will operate under the legal powers of the Housing Corporation while it consults on the powers set out in the 2008 Housing and Regeneration Act.