Tenancy Strategy

This Strategy is currently in draft and is subject to Cabinet approval on the 29^th April 2026.

If you would like to make any comments on the Strategy, please get in contact with us at strategic.housing@bassetlaw.gov.uk.

Introduction

The Government’s new Social Housing Strategy centres around a 5 stage “ Decade of renewal” for social and affordable housing. The Strategy hinges upon:
Funding Boost: Implementing the largest increase in grant funding for a generation.
Financial Capacity: Rebuilding the ability of the sector to borrow and invest in both new and existing homes.
Regulation: Establishing a stable and effective regulatory regime.
Council Building: Reinvigorating council-led housebuilding, with a focus on reversing the low rates of replacement for homes sold under Right to Buy.
Partnership: Developing a renewed partnership with the social housing sector to increase construction capacity.

Delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing, published July 2025.

The Localism Act

The Localism act places a duty on all Local Authorities to produce a Tenancy Strategy. The key aims of a Tenancy Strategy are to:

Fulfil the Local Authorities legal duties as set out in the Localism Act and in the Housing Act Part VI and VII (as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002)
Set out clear expectations for Registered Providers operating in the district
Make the best use of the Local Authorities housing stock and wider social and affordable housing in the district.
Choose to introduce affordable rents for new or a number of existing social rented homes
Limit those who can join the housing register and offer additional preference to priority groups
Offer tenancies which are in the interest of the individual household to create and maintain sustainable communities
Prevent homelessness and enable housing to be offered to those in the greatest need
Maximise the use of private rented sector tenancies, particularly in relation to the new power to discharge homelessness through this tenure.

Relevant Documents

The Tenancy Strategy been developed within the context of all relevant objectives from the following documents:

Section 150 – Localism Act.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (December 2024) determines:
- What counts as affordable housing for planning purposes
- The Types of affordable housing which local authorities must plan for
- The pricing mechanisms attached to each type of housing or tenure
This strategy should be read in conjunction with:
- Housing Strategy and Delivery Plan 2021-2026
- The Council’s Allocations Policy
- Homelessness Strategy

Affordable housing types as defined within the NFFP are:

Social Rent – set using the national rent formula and delivered by social housing providers or housing associations.
Affordable Rent – Rents capped at 80% the local market rate, inclusive of service charges. They must be let by Registered Providers.
Intermediate housing – such as shared ownership,Rent-to-buy, and other low-cost home ownership models. Pricing and eligibility criteria is set out nationally
First Homes – Discount market sale homes for first time buyers, with a minimum 30% discount, with local authorities having the ability to increase this.
These definitions are embedded in the NPPF and guide local plan policies and Section 106 agreements.

Registered Providers (RPs)

Registered Providers (RPs) are organisations that are registered and regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, as amended by subsequent legislation including the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. The RSH maintains the national register of social housing providers and oversees compliance with the regulatory standards.
RPs include a wide range of not for profit and for profit organisations that provide social and affordable housing.

These may include:

Housing associations
Charitable trusts
Co operatives and community based organisations
For profit registered providers
Local authorities (all councils that own and manage social housing are statutory Registered Providers)

Registered Providers deliver a broad range of rented homes, including houses, flats, bungalows, and supported accommodation, to meet the diverse needs of local communities. They are required to comply with the RSH’s consumer standards—covering safety, quality, transparency, accountability, neighbourhood management, and tenancy management—and, where applicable, the economic standards.

The Council works closely with Registered Providers operating within Bassetlaw to ensure that high quality, affordable homes are available and that services to tenants meet regulatory expectations. This partnership approach supports the delivery of new homes, effective tenancy management, and improved outcomes for residents across the district

The Tenancy Strategy will set out the areas that RPs are to have regard to when formulating policies relating to:

The kind of tenancies they grant,
The circumstances in which they will grant a tenancy of a particular kind,
Where they grant tenancies for a fixed term, the lengths of the terms
The circumstances in which they will grant a further tenancy on the coming to an end of an existing tenancy

Other Factors Influencing Housing

A range of national policy and regulatory changes continue to shape the future supply and demand for affordable housing in Bassetlaw. Local authorities now operate within a strengthened regulatory framework introduced by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, which places greater emphasis on transparency, tenant satisfaction, and proactive consumer regulation. While councils retain the ability to reinvest rental income into their housing stock, long term financial planning is influenced by national rent policies, building safety requirements, and the need to decarbonise homes. Maintaining the Decent Homes Standard, alongside preparing for the forthcoming Decent Homes Standard 2, remains essential to ensuring a sustainable supply of safe, good quality, affordable homes across the district.

At the same time, welfare reforms, changes to the Right to Buy framework, and the ongoing impact of the cost of living pressures continue to influence household affordability and may increase demand for social and affordable rented housing. The national funding landscape has also evolved: Homes England now leads on housing and regeneration investment, supporting local authorities and registered providers to deliver new affordable homes and to bring forward regeneration opportunities that align with local priorities.

Local Context

Bassetlaw is a predominantly rural district, characterised by a wide network of villages and small settlements set within extensive countryside. The market towns of Worksop and Retford continue to act as the district’s principal population center, each now home to over 30,000 residents. The district’s total population has grown to approximately 120,000, demonstrating both natural change and ongoing housing development.

The district retains a largely self-contained housing market, with strong local demand and relatively stable migration patterns. However, different parts of the district experience varying external influences: the western area continues to be most closely linked to the wider North Nottinghamshire area, while the northern, eastern and southern parts of Bassetlaw are shaped by their proximity to Sheffield, Doncaster, Lincoln and Nottingham, creating a complex pattern of commuting, affordability pressures and housing demand.

Bassetlaw is also an active ‘Non Constituent’ member of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)—formerly the Sheffield City Region. This partnership brings together local authorities across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of Derbyshire to collaborate on housing, regeneration, infrastructure and economic growth. Through SYMCA and Homes England, the Council works to secure investment, share best practice and support the delivery of new homes, regeneration schemes and place-based improvements across the district. As of 2024, Bassetlaw is also key partner in the newly formed East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). As a lower-tier authority in North Nottinghamshire, Bassetlaw is actively working to align its local growth strategies with regional devolution, focusing on major energy projects, net-zero initiatives, and economic regeneration.

The Bassetlaw Local Plan was adopted by the Council on 29 May 2024. It now replaces the Bassetlaw Core Strategy. This new plan provides the current, legally binding framework for sustainable development, housing, and employment growth across the district. The Local Plan aims to direct new development to appropriate locations, protects the countryside, and manages the built/natural environment. Its goals are to deliver sustainable, long-term growth and address regeneration challenges within the district.

Types of Tenancies

Local Authority Tenures

The management of social housing is governed by a combination of primary legislation, case law, regulatory standards, and the Council’s own policies and procedures. Local authority tenancies are primarily granted as secure tenancies, established under the Housing Act 1980 and consolidated within the Housing Act 1985. Secure tenancies provide long term stability and a wide range of statutory rights for tenants.

Rights associated with secure tenancies include:

Right to Buy (subject to eligibility and current government policy)
Right of succession and assignment by way of mutual exchange
Right to take in lodgers and, with permission, sublet part of the home
Right to repair
Right to consultation on changes to tenancy conditions and housing management
Right to manage (through recognised tenant management organisations)

These rights continue to be underpinned by the national regulatory framework, including the Regulator of Social Housing’s Tenancy Standard, which was strengthened following the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023.

Non-secure tenancy types:

In addition to secure tenancies, the Council may issue other forms of tenure where appropriate. These include:

Introductory Tenancies

Used for most new tenants of the Council.

Typically last 12 months, extendable to 18 months where concerns arise.
Provide a probationary period before a secure tenancy is granted.
Governed by the Housing Act 1996.

Non secure Tenancies / Licenses for Temporary Accommodation

Used primarily for households owed homelessness duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.
Do not carry the rights associated with secure tenancies.
Intended for short term occupation while longer term housing solutions are identified.

Demoted Tenancies

Assured Shorthold Tenancies

To meet the provision of short term housing which is part of a funding criteria.

Current Housing Processes

Housing Management

Bassetlaw District Council provides the Housing Management service to the Council’s 6549 homes. The services they provide are:

Managing estates and tenancies
Managing the waiting list and the CBL scheme "Home finder"
Enforcing tenancy agreements, including dealing with low level anti-social behaviour and rent arrears
Carrying out planned and emergency repairs
Working with leaseholders
Helping vulnerable and older or disabled people to stay in their homes and live in their community
Helping provide the Decent Homes programme to improve all Council homes to a high standard

Allocations

The Localism Act 2011 provides the Secretary of State with powers to issue statutory guidance on the use of local authority allocation powers, particularly in relation to protecting access to social housing for vulnerable households and those in demonstrable housing need. While the Government continues to define the main reasonable preference categories—such as homeless households, those owed a statutory duty, households living in insanitary or overcrowded conditions, and those requiring a move on medical or welfare grounds—local authorities now have greater discretion in determining how priority is applied within these groups.

The Council is therefore able to design an allocations framework that reflects local circumstances, pressures, and strategic priorities. This includes the ability to:

determine which groups qualify to join the housing register
manage the waiting list in a way that supports local needs
restrict or remove open waiting lists where appropriate

Under these provisions, the qualification criteria take precedence over traditional measures of housing need. Applicants who do not meet the qualification requirements will not be eligible to join the housing register, even if they would otherwise fall within a reasonable preference category. For those who do qualify, the Council will continue to ensure that applicants with urgent housing needs receive appropriate advice and guidance.

Bassetlaw District Council carries out the allocations function on behalf of the Council under part VI of the Housing Act 1996 which applies to:

Any allocation of a secure tenancy or introductory tenancy in its own stock by a local authority
Any nomination to an RP made by a local authority
The Council has nomination agreements in place with the RPs giving a minimum of 50% nomination rights to their properties in the Bassetlaw area. Bassetlaw District Council also advertises RPs properties through the Home Finder Choice Based Lettings scheme.

Transfers

The Localism Act requires local authorities to distinguish between transfer applicants and new applicants within their allocations processes. The Council operates a separate transfer list within the Choice Based Lettings (CBL) scheme, enabling specific properties to be allocated to existing tenants where this supports strategic objectives. This approach assists in addressing under occupation, improving stock utilisation, and meeting local housing needs more effectively.

The introduction of welfare reforms, including restrictions on housing benefit entitlement based on bedroom size for working age households, has increased the importance of ensuring that properties are appropriately occupied. The Council’s transfer policy supports households affected by these changes to move to suitably sized accommodation, thereby reducing financial hardship and improving the efficient use of the housing stock.

Transfer applicants are existing Bassetlaw District Council tenants and are currently allocated through the single housing register via the Home Finder Choice Based Lettings Scheme.

The position on the housing register is determined by the housing need and length of time on the list of the transfer applicant.

Succession

Bassetlaw District Council awards succession to a tenant under a secure tenancy if he/she occupied the dwelling house as his/her principle home at the time of the tenants' death (Housing Act 1985 - s87) and either:

He/she is the tenants spouse or civil partner
He/she is another member of the tenant’s family, and has resided with the tenant throughout the period of twelve months ending with the tenant’s death. The potential successor should demonstrate that he/she has resided with the tenant for 12 months preceding the tenant’s death

Where a successor tenant is a single person and the succession is to a property which is too large for their needs, for example a house, Bassetlaw District Council will offer the successor tenant alternative accommodation suitable for their particular circumstances.

The Council recognises that some cases of succession can result in under occupation in general needs stock. The Council therefore will make the best use of its stock by reserving the right to:

Continue to grant the right of statutory succession to the spouse/partner of the deceased tenant.
Limit the right of statutory succession to only the spouse/partner of the deceased tenant.
Use its discretion to grant additional rights of succession where appropriate
Use its discretion to engage with any potential successor if the council feels the accommodation is unsuitable with a view to offering more suitable accommodation. Based on their actual needs in accordance with our CBL policy.

Under Occupation and Best of Use Stock

We accept that a large percentage of those under occupying are older households where children have grown up and left the family home. We appreciate that many older tenants will only move to what they consider to be the right home in the right location and this at times can be difficult to facilitate. This is because demand is primarily for 2 bedroomed bungalows which outstrip supply.

The Council will continue to encourage and negotiate the development and / or acquisition of properties that will meet the needs of the waiting list including under occupying tenants. The Council will continue also to give discretionary priority where there is the possibility of “domino” allocations being achieved.

Mutual Exchange

Tenants who hold a secure tenancy with the Council have the statutory right to apply for a mutual exchange under section 92 of the Housing Act 1985. A mutual exchange is a legal swap of homes between two or more social housing tenants, and it can only proceed with the consent of all landlords involved. This mechanism supports mobility across local authorities and Registered Providers (RPs).

The Government may direct the Regulator of Social Housing to set standards requiring RPs to provide appropriate assistance to tenants seeking a mutual exchange. This regulatory framework supports the national home swap system, which enables secure tenants to identify potential exchange partners across the country. The scheme is designed to help tenants move for employment, family support, or other personal reasons.

Homelessness

The Localism Act 2011 and subsequent legislation, including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (HRA 2017), have significantly reshaped the way councils assess and respond to homelessness under Parts 6 and 7 of the Housing Act 1996.

Prevention and Relief Duties (HRA 2017)

The HRA 2017 introduced new statutory duties requiring councils to intervene earlier and work proactively with households at risk of homelessness. Local authorities must now:

Provide tailored Personalised Housing Plans (PHPs)
Take reasonable steps to prevent homelessness for anyone threatened with homelessness within 56 days
Take reasonable steps to relieve homelessness for anyone already homeless, regardless of priority need or intentionality

These duties apply to all eligible applicants and represent a shift towards a prevention first approach.

Discharging the Main Housing Duty

Under Section 193 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended), councils may discharge the main homelessness duty by offering suitable accommodation in the private rented sector (PRS). This can be done with or without the applicant’s consent, provided the property meets statutory suitability requirements.

A PRS offer used to discharge duty must:

Be for a minimum fixed term of 12 months
Meet all suitability criteria, including affordability, location, and property condition
Be compliant with the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) Order 2012 and subsequent guidance

If an applicant becomes unintentionally homeless again within two years of accepting a PRS offer, the original authority retains responsibility for providing further assistance.

Out of District Placements

The Localism Act allows councils to make offers of suitable private or social housing outside the district where necessary. When doing so, Councils must:

Consider the applicant’s support networks, employment, education, and caring responsibilities
Follow the statutory guidance on out of area placements
Ensure the accommodation is suitable and that the receiving authority is notified

Applicants placed outside the district who lose their accommodation through no fault of their own within two years must re apply to the original authority that accepted the homelessness duty.

The Council has a statutory duty under the Homelessness Act 2002 to keep homelessness under review and to formulate and publish a strategy for preventing and addressing homelessness within the district.

This Housing Strategy reflects those requirements and incorporates the most recent national policy developments, including the Localism Act 2011, the National Housing Strategy, and the significant legislative changes introduced through the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (HRA 2017).

In accordance with national guidance, the Council undertakes a comprehensive review of its Homelessness Strategy every five years. The most recent review has enabled the Council to update its approach to reflect legislative changes, emerging needs, and evolving best practice in homelessness prevention and relief.

Legislative Framework

The Council retains responsibility for the delivery of homelessness services and continues to assess applications in accordance with Parts 6 and 7 of the Housing Act 1996, as amended. The legislative framework now includes enhanced duties introduced by the HRA 2017, which places a stronger emphasis on early intervention, prevention, and personalised support.

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

The HRA 2017 represents the most substantial reform to homelessness legislation in over a decade. It introduced two new statutory duties that apply to all eligible applicants, irrespective of priority need or intentionality:

Prevention Duty (56 days): A requirement for the Council to take reasonable steps to prevent homelessness for households threatened with homelessness within 56 days.
Relief Duty (56 days): A requirement to take reasonable steps to help secure suitable accommodation for households already homeless.

These duties are supported by the requirement to undertake a Personalised Housing Assessment and to agree a Personalised Housing Plan (PHP) with each applicant, setting out the actions the Council and the applicant will take to prevent or relieve homelessness.

Main Housing Duty

Where the Council determines that an applicant is eligible, unintentionally homeless, and in priority need, the main housing duty is owed. In Bassetlaw, this duty may be discharged through:

An offer of an introductory tenancy through the Choice-Based Lettings Allocations Policy
An offer of a secure tenancy from a Registered Provider
An offer of a suitable private rented sector tenancy
A referral to another local authority under Section 198 of the Housing Act 1996

Discharge of Duty into the Private Rented Sector

The Localism Act 2011 introduced the power for local authorities to discharge the main housing duty through a suitable offer of private rented sector accommodation. This removed the previous requirement for the applicant to consent to such an offer. The Council now utilises this power where appropriate to increase housing options and reduce reliance on social housing stock.

National Policy Direction

Government priorities continue to focus on:

Ending rough sleeping
Reducing the use of temporary accommodation
Increasing prevention activity
Expanding access to the PRS for homeless households
Strengthening partnership working across health, social care, and criminal justice services

Private Sector within Bassetlaw

The Government’s guidance, The Strategic Housing Role of Local Authorities, sets out the expectation that councils will take a proactive and enabling role in shaping local housing markets. This includes ensuring that all housing stock—across all tenures—is used effectively to meet the needs of local communities. The Council recognises the importance of the private rented sector (PRS) as a key component of the district’s housing supply and as an essential partner in meeting housing need.

The Council is in the process of developing a comprehensive Private Sector Housing Strategy, which will set out a coordinated approach to improving standards, supporting landlords, and maximising the contribution of the PRS to meeting local housing needs. In advance of this, a range of initiatives are already in place, including targeted engagement with private landlords, proactive work to bring empty homes back into use, and the provision of advice and support to both landlords and tenants.

The Council notes the principles and content of the Renters Reform Act 2025 and will make reference to this when determining its guidance and advice regarding private sector tenancies.

Private landlords play a vital role in the provision of accommodation across Bassetlaw. To strengthen partnership working and promote good practice, the Council publishes a Private Landlords’ Newsletter on a bi annual basis and facilitates regular Landlord Forums. These forums provide opportunities for information sharing, legislative updates, and collaborative problem solving, supporting a well functioning and responsible private rented sector.

Affordable Rents

Affordable Rent homes allow Registered Providers (RPs) and local authorities to charge rents of up to 80% of local market rent, inclusive of service charges. Affordable Rent may be used for:

Newly built homes
A proportion of re-let homes, where permitted by the RP’s development or funding agreement

Affordable Rent properties remain eligible for Housing Benefit and the housing element of Universal Credit, subject to standard affordability assessments.

Affordable Rent was introduced to support the delivery of new affordable housing by enabling providers to generate additional rental income to reinvest in new supply. Current government funding programmes, including the Affordable Homes Programme, continue to use Affordable Rent as a key delivery model.

The Tenancy Strategy will support RPs by:

Confirming the Council’s commitment to supporting the development of affordable housing that meets identified local needs
Setting out the Council’s position on the use of Affordable Rent for new developments
Ensuring Affordable Rent levels remain aligned with Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates to maintain affordability for households on low incomes
Identifying circumstances where Affordable Rent may not be appropriate, such as specialist supported housing or areas of acute affordability pressure

The Regulator of Social Housing requires all providers to comply with the Rent Standard, which governs how Affordable Rent levels are set, reviewed, and published. Providers must also meet the Tenant Involvement and Empowerment Standard, ensuring transparency around rent-setting and affordability.

Local authorities may also choose to use the Affordable Rent model for their own stock, subject to compliance with the Rent Standard and local affordability considerations.

Property Type	Council Rent	'Affordable' Rent	Private Rent	LHA
1 bed	£83.30	£166.89	£123.50	£97.81
2 bed	£94.03	£137.29	£168.25	£115.07
3 bed	£99.51	£119.06	£195.75	£126.58
4+ bed	£108.59	£121.53	£279.25	£166.85

Data taken from ons.gov.uk (released 17//12/2025) and BDC.

Guidance for Registered Providers

Use of Fixed Term Tenures

The Council supports the continued use of introductory and assured tenancies that are currently being offered alongside the new fixed term tenancies.

The reason for this is:

Address under occupancy
Ensure adapted properties are available to meet the needs of disabled applicants
Management of stock and generate turnaround in areas of high demand
Affordability – To ensure that properties are available for those less able to meet their needs in the private sector

In applying fixed term tenancies the Council expects RPs to consider the following factors:

The Council considers that where the uses of fixed term tenures are to be utilised these should be for a minimum term of five years in order to provide stability and security to our communities
In order to ensure the best possible use of stock, the Council in particular supports the use of fixed terms tenancies for properties with specialist adaptations
The Council considers that all fixed term tenancies should be renewed unless the household’s circumstances have changed to such an extent that the property is no longer suitable for their needs or have improved to the extent that they are able to meet their needs through alternative housing options such as, home ownership or private sector housing
Where a tenancy is renewed the rent may change as the property should be subject to a new rent assessment based on market rents
Where a tenancy is not renewed at the end of a fixed term, the RP should ensure that adequate and appropriate advice and assistance is provided to the tenant to enable them to secure alternative accommodation. This may include assisting them to move within the RPs own stock (either rented or shared ownership) or moving into the private sector
The tenant should be given a notice period of at least 6 months and the RP should also notify the Council’s Housing Needs Team of any intended tenancy terminations as soon as notice is given
For all tenancies coming to an end RPs should ensure that tenants are provided with clear and adequate information about the reasons why their tenancy has been terminated, and clear guidance should be provided on the way in which they can appeal any tenancy termination decision
The Council expects that very few, if any, homeless approaches should be generated by an RP terminating a fixed term tenancy, as appropriate advice should have been provided to the tenant to enable them to meet their own needs.

Use of Affordable Rents

The Council supports the use of affordable rent to allow RPs to raise the funds to build new affordable homes and accepts that they will increasingly be part of ‘the housing offer’.

The Council requires clear guidelines and agreements with each RP as to the use of affordable rent within the district. In particular there needs to be a clear understanding of the number of conversions that the Council wishes to see within the district; it is suggested that no more than 50% of all dwellings be converted, provided that this does not exceed 50% of their total stock within the district, as a means of supporting RPs to generate funding to develop more homes.

RPs are expected to publish its criteria for determining which of its existing stock it intends to let at affordable rent levels and the valuation information it uses to determine the affordable rent level.
The Council accepts that for new HCA developments there is an expectation that these would be let at the affordable rent model.

Mobility

The Council expects that all RPs operating in the district should participate in a national mutual exchange scheme to enable tenants to move more easily. In order to encourage and facilitate mobility, existing social tenants should be allowed to retain their security when they move to a new property.

The Council expects that RPs should publish a mutual exchange policy, setting out any conditions it may apply to tenants who wish to exchange.

It is important that a robust system is in place to manage requests for mutual exchanges to ensure that tenants are not disadvantaged for e.g. losing their security of tenure.

The Council would expect that RPs clearly explain how tenants’ exchange rights will be affected by different tenancy types.

Under and Over Occupation

The Council expects RPs to offer flexibility to tenants who need to move due to under-occupation and / or reduction in housing benefit. This may mean relaxing conditions around the ability to exchange with rent arrears, if this will resolve the household’s affordability issues and prevent further arrears from accruing.
The Council would encourage RPs where possible to work with the Council to address the issue of under occupancy.

Vulnerability

It is expected that RPs to take into account any vulnerable households or applicants they have when determining their Tenancy Policies and to exempt certain client groups from fixed term tenures.

Disposal of Stock

The Council does not wish to see the disposal of housing stock to the private sector, although the Council supports stock transfers between RPs as this enables social housing to remain in the social sector. However, it is recognised that in certain circumstances this may be justifiable providing it allows for future investment within the district, providing more appropriate housing. Agreement would have to be gained from the Council for any disposal of stock in accordance with legislative requirements and stock transfer agreements. This would include any payment in respect of the disposals claw back agreement.

The Council expects that RPs should have a disposal strategy which clearly sets out their approach to the disposal of stock and how this benefits the organisation and the district. The Council also expects that all disposal decisions should be taken at RP Board level. If RPs choose to dispose of stock within the district we will require them to provide the following information to the Council with any request for support for disposal:

Address of property
Type and size of property
Whether the property if currently tenanted and if so, how the current tenant will be assisted to find suitable alternative accommodation
The projected income from the disposal
How and where this income will be used
Any housing grant linked to the properties

Local Lettings Plans

The Council supports the use of local lettings plans by RPs. These should be developed in partnership with the local Council and should set out how and why particular properties will be let at affordable rent or offered on a fixed term basis.

All local lettings plans should be needs based and have clear and robust evidence to support this need. The plan should clearly set out what the RP is aiming to achieve in applying restrictions on allocations and how these restrictions will assist to meet these objectives. The plan should also have a set review date, at which time, the RP should assess whether the objectives have been achieved and whether the plan should be extended or amended.

Regulation of Social Housing

The Regulator of Social Housing

The regulation of social housing in England is overseen by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), which is responsible for registering and regulating all providers of social housing, including local authorities. The regulatory framework is established under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 and strengthened significantly by the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. All local authorities are registered providers and must comply with the RSH’s regulatory standards.

The 2023 Act introduced a new, proactive consumer regulation regime, replacing the previous reactive model. From 1 April 2024, the RSH began routinely inspecting landlords against revised consumer standards and gained enhanced enforcement powers to address failures.

Regulatory Framework

The RSH sets two categories of standards:

Consumer Standards

(Apply to all registered providers, including local authorities)

Revised in April 2024, these standards place a stronger emphasis on safety, quality, transparency, and tenant engagement. The four statutory consumer standards are:

Safety and Quality Standard – ensuring homes are safe, decent, and well maintained.
Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard – ensuring tenants can access information, influence decisions, and hold landlords to account.
Neighbourhood and Community Standard – covering neighbourhood management, anti social behaviour, and partnership working.
Tenancy Standard – covering allocations, tenure, rent, and tenancy sustainment.

These standards replaced the previous six standard framework used by the former Tenant Services Authority (TSA).

Economic Standards

(Apply to private registered providers; local authorities are exempt from governance and viability gradings)

These include:

Governance and Financial Viability Standard
Value for Money Standard
Rent Standard

Local authorities must comply with the Rent Standard but are not subject to governance and viability assessments.

Housing Ombudsman Service

The Housing Ombudsman investigates complaints about social landlords and promotes fair, effective complaint handling. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 made the Ombudsman’s Complaint Handling Code statutory from 1 April 2024, requiring all landlords to comply and undertake regular self assessments.

The Ombudsman and the RSH operate under a strengthened Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (updated July 2024), ensuring coordinated oversight, information sharing, and joint action where systemic issues arise.

Key requirements for landlords include:

A clear, accessible two stage complaints process
Timely responses within prescribed timescales
Evidence based learning from complaints
Annual self assessment against the statutory Code

Proactive Regulation and Inspection

Under the 2023 Act, the RSH now:

Conducts regular, scheduled inspections of all large landlords (including councils) at least every four years
Has expanded powers to issue performance improvement plans, emergency repairs, and unlimited fines
Can require landlords to provide detailed performance information, including tenant satisfaction measures (TSMs)

This marks a shift from the previous “co regulation” model to a more interventionist approach designed to protect tenants and improve landlord performance.

Summary of Current Regulatory Expectations

Social housing providers must now demonstrate:

Safe, decent, well maintained homes
Transparent and accountable governance
Effective tenant engagement and influence
Strong complaint handling aligned with the statutory Code
Compliance with the Rent Standard
Proactive management of neighbourhoods and anti social behaviour
Robust data, reporting, and assurance processes

These requirements apply fully to Bassetlaw District Council as a registered provider of social housing.

Last Updated on Tuesday, May 5, 2026