Committee calls for compensation for tenants in ‘appalling’ social housing

Some of the UK’s social housing has fallen into such disrepair it has been deemed ‘unfit for human habitation’, according to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee. 

The latest report identified an overall shortage of social housing and ageing stock, leading to decay, due to a lack of government investment.

These subpar living conditions can result in serious ill-health, both mentally and phsyically, for tenants lving with damp and mould, the Committee said. 

It suggested the government bring in legislation to allow tenants claim compensation up to £25,000 from housing providers letting out unacceptable housing. 

The report reads: ‘Whatever the precise extent and causes of housing disrepair, we call on everyone in and connected to the sector to prioritise above all else the quality of housing being provided to existing tenants.

‘If, when it investigates a complaint, the ombudsman finds a provider guilty of maladministration, it may order the latter to compensate tenants for financial loss and avoidable inconvenience, distress and detriment. In 2020–21, the average level of compensation awarded was just £260. 

‘This clearly does not come anywhere close to reflecting the detriment to tenants. In its recent White Paper on reforming the private rented sector (PRS), the Government promised to establish a new ombudsman for the PRS with the power to award compensation of up to £25,000. 

‘We call on the Government to amend the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill to give the social housing ombudsman the same power. To tolerate a situation in which social housing tenants are not receiving the same levels of compensation as tenants in the PRS would amount to blatant discrimination. Significantly increasing levels of compensation should also help to concentrate the minds of boards and senior management teams on improving service standards.’ 

Committee members also found complaints handling processes to be inefficient and obstructive and urged the government to establish a national tenant voice body to strengthen their rights. 

There was a concern over the proposed extension of Right to Buy too, as this has previously led to a decrease in available social housing.

The Committee recommended a fully-funded plan be brought in to ensure there was a like-for-like replacement of every home sould under Right to Buy. 

Photo by Nolan Issac