The government published its Social Housing White Paper in 2020 and introduces a new charter for social housing residents. It also outlines plans for new regulation, an enhanced Housing Ombudsman to improve complaints and sets out new tenant satisfaction measures for social housing landlords to report against. All social landlords must deliver on the below seven commitments, which tenants should be able to expect from their landlord:
1. To be safe in your home.
2. To know how your landlord is performing, including on repairs, complaints and safety, and how it spends its money.
3. To have your complaints dealt with promptly and fairly, with access to a strong Ombudsman.
4. To be treated with respect, backed by a strong consumer regulator and improved consumer standards for tenants.
5. To have your voice heard by your landlord.
6. To have a good quality home and neighbourhood to live in, with your landlord keeping your home in good repair.
7. The government will ensure social housing can support people to take their first step to ownership.
What are we doing?
Work has already begun on the Council’s extensive action plan to ensure its commitments to tenants are met by April 2023.
Loneliness Review
A review on how the Housing Service can help to tackle loneliness took place and following the review, the housing service has put together some resources to help raise awareness of what support is out there for residents who may be feeling lonely. This includes a new webpage on loneliness signposting residents to support services - https://www.dartford.gov.uk/advice/loneliness and training and guidance for all housing staff to help spot the signs and help to signpost someone for help overcoming their loneliness.
Resident Engagement Survey
Our Resident Engagement Survey, seeking views on how we communicate with tenants and leaseholders, has already taken place and a report is available in the our Summer 2022 Link newsletter. The results from this survey will be used to help inform our plans for services moving forward.
Resident Engagement Stategy
Consultation on our Resident Engagement Strategy has now ended, and a copy of the final Resident Engagement Strategy 2023-2026 will be available at the end of 2022.
What can you do?
Tenant involvement is vital for the Council to make and develop its plans and therefore will be continuing a programme of consultation throughout this process, and into the future.
Look out for our regular updates and if you would like to be involved, please email rio@dartford.gov.uk or call us on 01322 343682.
Further information and links
You can find further information by visiting:
The Ministy or Housing, Commmunities & Local Government for information on the Social Housing Charter