Housing Standards
Housing Standards
Social housing provides affordable and secure homes for many people. The Social Housing Regulator (SHR) has set Consumer Standards to make sure that tenants get good services and live in safe, well-maintained homes. This article explains these standards and what they mean for you.
Introduction to the Social Housing Regulator
The Social Housing Regulator (SHR) is an independent organization that oversees social housing providers, like Mansfield District Council (MDC). It ensures they meet legal requirements and provide quality housing. The SHR’s goals are to protect tenants, promote good management, and ensure financial stability in social housing.
Overview of Consumer Standards
Consumer Standards are rules that MDC and other housing providers must follow. These rules cover different aspects of housing management to ensure tenants are treated fairly, live in safe and clean homes, and can participate in decision-making.
The Consumer Standards cover:
Safety and Quality Standard (the provision of safe and good quality homes and landlord services to tenants);
Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard (to be open with tenants and treat them with fairness and respect so that they can access services, raise complaints, influence decision making and hold their landlord to account);
Neighbourhood and Community Standard (to engage with other relevant parties so that tenants can live in safe and well-maintained neighbourhoods and feel safe in their homes);
Tenancy Standard (to let and allocate homes fairly and how tenancies are to be managed and ended by landlords)
How to Use the Consumer Standards to Address Issues
If you have issues with MDC, you can use the Consumer Standards to address your concerns:
- Raise the Issue Directly: Contact us and mention the specific standard we are not meeting.
- Follow the Complaints Procedure: If the issue is not resolved, use MDC’s formal complaints process. https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/housing-publications/housing-performance/4
- Escalate the Complaint: If you are still unhappy, you can take your complaint to the Housing Ombudsman or the Social Housing Regulator.
Understanding these standards helps you ensure MDC meets its obligations. By knowing your rights and how to address issues, you can help improve your housing services and community. Remember, your voice matters and can lead to positive changes
Self Assessment against the Consumer Standards
MDC commission Savills to undertake a self assessment of how MDC are performing against the specific standards and expectations of the Consumer Standards.
The review identified where MDC are meeting the standards and where further work is required.
Documents
MDC have developed an improvement plan in order to ensure we are meeting all the requirements including making improvements in:
- Health and safety compliance
- Information, communication and engagement
- Performance management and reporting
- Data and data governance
- Policies procedures and key documents
- Governance arrangements