Social housing tenants are to be encouraged to hold their landlords to account as part of a taxpayer funded training scheme.
From free advice on addressing damp and mould to webinars on how to complain about anti-social behaviour, the training programme will - according to a government statement - “share information like that handed out by shows such as ‘Watchdog’ or ‘Rip Off Britain’, offering tips and advice so tenants know their rights and how to access the Housing Ombudsman service.”
Backed by £500,000 of public cash the training - to be called the Four Million Homes programme - will also encourage tenants to take an active role in how their homes are managed, with advice on how to set up a residents panel so tenants are treated with respect.
An announcement by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says this is the latest government move “to help rebalance power between residents and landlords”.
The government recently made amended the Social Housing Regulation Bill going through Parliament, including Awaab’s Law, meaning all social landlords will have to fix hazards like damp and mould within set time frames, and a measure that will require social housing managers to gain a professional qualification, so residents receive a better service.
The minister for social housing, Baroness Scott, says: “Tenants deserve better and this training programme will help people up and down the country demand a high-quality service from their landlord. We are driving up standards in social housing through landmark legislation and making sure residents’ voices are heard with digital advertisement campaigns. The Four Million Homes programme is the latest part of our plan to drive a culture change right at the very heart of the social housing sector.”
The training events will begin in May and will run over 24 months starting with ‘Exploring your right to engage and be heard’, advising residents of their rights and how to make complaints.
Sessions will include face-to-face accredited training around the country including in Newcastle, Liverpool, Birmingham and London and monthly webinars on topics such as addressing damp and mould and anti-social behaviour.
Online training videos will be live from September to ensure that these opportunities are available to all via the Four Million Homes website.
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