Localism Bill Receives Royal Assent

The Localism Bill received Royal Assent on 15 November, becoming the Localism Act 2011. The Act has wide implications for social landlords and includes measures on:
· local authority tenancy strategies - which will affect allocation of all social housing
· tenure reform - the introduction of flexible tenancies
· abolition of the HRA subsidy system
· abolition of the Tenant Services Authority
· a cross-sector housing ombudsman scheme
· complaints and tenant panels
There is a whole section on how housing is to be managed in London, setting out specific powers for the Greater London Authority. The Act also covers many local authority functions such as community rights, neighbourhood planning and empowering cities, as well as a 'general power of competence' giving them the legal capacity to do anything an individual can do that isn't specifically prohibited. Download a copy of the Plain English Guide to the Act from the CLG website.

Shapps Consults on Draft Directions to Regulator

Grant Shapps has launched draft directions to the social housing regulator about the content of regulatory standards. These are much longer and more detailed than those issued under the last government following passage of the Housing and Regeneration 2008 Act, which they would replace. The draft directions cover:
*Tenure reform
*Tenant involvement
*Mutual exchange
*Affordable rent
*Decent Homes
The consultation runs until 29 September. The Tenant Services Authority intends to consult later in 2011 on the changes to its standards that will arise from the new directions. Download a copy of the consultation paper from the CLG website.