SPOTLIGHT

A zero sum game?

The number of SEND tribunal cases is rising and the proportion of appeals ‘lost’ by local authorities is at a record high. Lottie Winson talks to education lawyers to understand the reasons why, and sets out the results of Local Government Lawyer’s exclusive survey.

Tenant Services Authority handed extended power to enforce minimum housing standards

The eight million tenants in public housing will have the right to clear standards of service from their landlords from April 2010, the housing minister has said.

John Healey said he would direct the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) to set national housing standards that all tenants in council or housing association homes can expect. New legislation will be brought in before the end of the year.

The TSA’s draft standards include duties for landlords to:

  • Provide a maintenance service to ensure repairs and improvements are consistent with standards agreed with their tenants;
  • Work to prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhoods where they own homes; and
  • Provide opportunities for tenants to get involved in the management of their homes.

Tenants and landlords will be able to set their own priorities and standards. According to Healey, these local standards would address tenants’ involvement in scrutinising performance and outline what would happen if such standards are not met.

The TSA has already launched pilot schemes of this approach. The East Midlands Housing Association and the Foundation Housing Association are developing local standards for anti-social behaviour and security, while Hastoe Housing Association and Six Town Housing are piloting a standard on mitigation of climate change.

The authority will in the first instance work with both landlords and tenants to raise standards. Its powers for dealing with significant under-performance include issuing enforcement notices or transferring the management of properties to another provider. Housing associations also face the prospect of fines or having to pay compensation to affected tenants.

TSA chief executive Peter Marsh welcomed the extension of its powers. "We're also pleased that the government has set out its directions to the TSA covering tenant empowerment, the quality of homes, and future rent levels for housing associations - three areas central to tenants' concerns, and issues which the TSA is responsible for setting standards for landlords,” he said.