DLUHC consultation on tenant involvement and mutual exchange

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has launched a new consultation on issuing new directions to the Regulator of Social Housing relating to tenant involvement and mutual exchange.

This is part of the Social Housing White Paper’s commitment to introduce a proactive consumer regulation regime. DLUHC has reviewed existing directions covering tenant involvement and mutual exchange to ensure they are suitable for the new regulatory framework.

The Social Housing Bill is currently progressing through parliament enabling the Secretary of State to direct the Regulator on certain aspects of regulatory standards to deliver the reforms set out in the White Paper.

The consultation proposes a number of small, but important changes to the existing directions covering tenant involvement and mutual exchange to support the implementation of the new consumer regime. DLUHC will issue new directions to the Regulator in spring 2023 subject to the outcome of the consultation and the Social Housing Bill’s passage through parliament.

The consultation closes on 30 March 2023.

The direction relating to tenant involvement requires the Regulator to set a standard on tenant involvement that applies to all registered social housing providers. For example, a requirement to provide tenants with greater opportunities to engage with and scrutinise their landlord’s activities. The direction regarding mutual exchange covers tenants’ rights to access a service that helps them exchange their propriety with other social housing tenants.

We are keen to hear feedback from our members to inform our submission. If you would like to comment on the consultation please send your comments to:

Joanne Wilson at joanne.wilson@northern-consortium.org.uk by the 24th of March 2023.