Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023

5 Relationship between regulator and housing ombudsman

(1) The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (5).

(2) After section 100G insert—

“Relationship with housing ombudsman

100H Relationship with housing ombudsman

(1) The regulator and a housing ombudsman must each take such steps as it considers appropriate to co-operate in the exercise of their respective functions.

(2) The regulator and a housing ombudsman must prepare and maintain a memorandum describing how they intend to comply with subsection (1).

(3) The regulator and a housing ombudsman must ensure that the memorandum between them as currently in force is published in the way appearing to them to be best calculated to bring it to the attention of the public.”

(3) In section 196 (consultation), in subsection (1), after paragraph (ea) insert—

“(eb) any housing ombudsman,”.

(4) In section 197 (direction by Secretary of State), in subsection (4), after paragraph (aa) insert—

“(ab) any housing ombudsman,”.

(5) In section 275 (general interpretation), after the entry relating to the HCA insert—

• ““housing ombudsman” means a housing ombudsman appointed in accordance with a scheme approved under Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996,”.

(6) In Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (social rented sector: housing complaints), in paragraph 3 (approval of scheme etc), in sub-paragraph (1), for the words from “shall be made” to the end substitute—

“(a) may only be made after the applicant has consulted the Regulator of Social Housing,

(b) shall be made in such manner as the Secretary of State may determine, and

(c) shall be accompanied by such information as the Secretary of State may require.”