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Watchdog to tackle poor landlords Watchdog to tackle poor landlords
(about 2 hours later)
Social housing tenants in England will be able to report landlords who provide poor service to a watchdog, under plans to be announced by Ruth Kelly.Social housing tenants in England will be able to report landlords who provide poor service to a watchdog, under plans to be announced by Ruth Kelly.
The communities secretary will say that the planned social housing watchdog will be given the authority to force a change of landlord or cap rent rises.The communities secretary will say that the planned social housing watchdog will be given the authority to force a change of landlord or cap rent rises.
Good social landlords would be "given new freedoms" including being "freed from red tape", Ms Kelly will add.Good social landlords would be "given new freedoms" including being "freed from red tape", Ms Kelly will add.
She will outline the proposals at a major housing speech in Harrogate.She will outline the proposals at a major housing speech in Harrogate.
These changes would mean landlords are more accountable whilst ensuring tenants have a real say about how their homes are managed for the first time Ruth KellyThese changes would mean landlords are more accountable whilst ensuring tenants have a real say about how their homes are managed for the first time Ruth Kelly
The proposals, which aim to give tenants more of a voice, follow a six-month review of social housing regulation by academic Professor Martin Cave, of Warwick University's Centre for Management under Regulation. The proposals, which aim to give tenants more of a voice, follow a six-month review of social housing regulation by academic Professor Martin Cave, of Warwick Business School's Centre for Management under Regulation.
Ms Kelly will say the plans will help to protect the interests of the 8 million people currently living in social housing.Ms Kelly will say the plans will help to protect the interests of the 8 million people currently living in social housing.
"We need to move to a system that focuses more on tenants and also one that minimises the burdens on good social landlords," she will say."We need to move to a system that focuses more on tenants and also one that minimises the burdens on good social landlords," she will say.
"These changes would mean landlords are more accountable whilst ensuring tenants have a real say about how their homes are managed for the first time.""These changes would mean landlords are more accountable whilst ensuring tenants have a real say about how their homes are managed for the first time."
Other plans include measures to make it easier for tenants to take over day-to-day management of council estates.Other plans include measures to make it easier for tenants to take over day-to-day management of council estates.
At the moment, it can take more than six years for tenants to set up a management organisation.At the moment, it can take more than six years for tenants to set up a management organisation.
Ms Kelly will also reiterate the need for new homes to be built across the country.Ms Kelly will also reiterate the need for new homes to be built across the country.
A new housing and regeneration agency, Communities England, will help local areas to delivering more social and private housing, she will say.A new housing and regeneration agency, Communities England, will help local areas to delivering more social and private housing, she will say.