TSA News Release

Thursday 16 October 2008

New agency to include Local Authorities and ALMOs from launch

Timetable announced for extension of Tenant Services Authority powers

The Tenant Services Authority, the new social housing regulator centred on the needs and aspirations of tenants, will consult with Local Authority and ALMO tenants and landlords right from its December launch about its new regulation framework.

Initially the Tenant Services Authority (the TSA) will replace the Housing Corporation and draw on the Corporation’s existing powers to regulate housing associations.

However the Housing and Regeneration Act, passed in July, paves the way for the TSA to become a domain-wide regulator of housing providers without additional primary legislation.  Local Authority and ALMO landlords are due to come under its remit alongside housing associations and other for-profit providers, as recommended in the Cave Report “Every Tenant Matters” and supported by the LGA.  The TSA goes live in December 2008 and plans to open its register to “for profit” providers in December 2009 and Local Authorities and ALMOs in April 2010.

Before their new powers are implemented, the TSA will spend its first eight months in informal consultation with tenants and providers – including Housing Associations, Local Authorities and ALMOs.  The Department of Communities and Local Government is due to lay statutory orders in the Summer 2009 paving the way for the  TSA statutory consultation on the new standards and Regulatory Framework..

Peter Marsh, Chief Executive of the Tenant Services Authority, says:  “As a modern, efficient and consumer-centred regulator, we look forward to working in partnership with every local authority in their role as a strategic housing authority.   We will work on behalf of all communities to raise the standard of housing services through a well-governed sector that puts tenants first.

“We will start by shaping our new standards for the whole domain, creating what we believe will be the largest regulatory engagement with tenants across England to focus on what tenants tell us their priorities are.

“Our aim is to create a level playing field, developing a new standards framework which will apply equally to all housing providers who own or manage stock – whether ALMOs, local authorities or housing associations. Within these standards we are committed to acting fairly and proportionately.  We will work with the LGA and others to design a framework that both respects the local performance framework and ensures we have access to the information collection and enforcement powers necessary to us to deliver our objectives.

“If you are doing a great job, we will leave you alone. However where standards are unacceptable,  we will be able to direct inspections, issue improvement and enforcement notices and – where necessary  – even contest the management of homes.

“What’s most important to tenants is the quality of housing services that impact on them day to day.  We want every tenant in England to enjoy the same high levels of service.  At the moment, I believe the gap between good and bad tenant services is just too large, and the difference in spend between good and bad landlords bears no relation to the quality of their services.  This means millions of tenants deserve a better deal from their landlord.  

“To drive change for the better, the TSA will ensure tenants have access to cross-domain information, and work to create genuine choice. If services are unacceptable, the TSA should be able to direct the management of stock to another provider – whether this means ALMOS or Local Authorities taking over as landlords from failing housing associations, or housing associations taking over stock from failing Local Authorities.” 

Ends.

For further press information please contact Katy Nicholson, tel: 0207 393 2115

Notes to editors:

1)       The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is the new regulator for affordable housing, and aims to raise the standard of services through a well-governed sector that puts tenants first.   It is due to launch at the beginning of December 2008.

2)      Initially the Tenant Services Authority (the TSA) will replace the Housing    Corporation as a regulator, drawing on the Corporation’s existing powers to regulate housing associations.  

3)      The TSA will be consulting with tenants across 5 million households and their landlords -  including Local Authorities, ALMOs and housing associations -  to develop the new standards framework and implement the new powers granted in the Homes and Communities Act.