Free Training Empowers Social Housing Tenants to Take on Landlords
A new government-backed training scheme launches today, aiming to give social housing tenants the tools to hold their landlords to account.
From Damp to Anti-Social Behaviour: Know Your Rights
The free programme offers practical advice on tackling common issues like damp and mould, plus guidance on complaining about anti-social behaviour. Inspired by popular consumer watchdog shows, it teaches residents how to access the Housing Ombudsman service and stand firm for their rights.
£500k Boost to Flip Power Balance
Funded with half a million pounds, the Four Million Homes programme also encourages tenants to get involved in how their homes are managed — including setting up resident panels to ensure respect and fairness.
This follows key government moves like the Make Things Right campaign and the Social Housing Regulation Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament. Recent improvements include Awaab’s Law, forcing landlords to fix hazards such as damp within strict timeframes, and a requirement for housing managers to hold professional qualifications.
Voices from the Top
Baroness Scott, Minister for Social Housing, said: “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.”
Blase Lambert, CCH Chief Executive, commented: “This programme is a catalyst for change in the social housing sector. It complements other government actions outlined in the Social Housing Regulation Bill and the Make Things Right campaign, leading to a better balance of power between landlords and residents. All social housing residents need to understand their rights, know how to raise issues with their landlords and hold them to account, and be able to shape and improve the services they receive and the homes they live in. This training programme will do that.”
How to Join the Training
The programme kicks off today at 3pm with an online launch event open to all. Residents can register and book future sessions at www.fourmillionhomes.org.
Events start in May, running for 24 months. Initial sessions focus on “Exploring your right to engage and be heard,” teaching tenants how to make complaints and assert their rights. Face-to-face accredited training is planned in cities like newcastle/" title="Newcastle" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Newcastle, Liverpool, and Birmingham, alongside monthly webinars on issues such as damp, mould, and anti-social behaviour.
From September, online training videos will be available to maximise access.
The programme was shaped by over 100 volunteers from the government’s resident panel, ensuring the content hits the mark. Training is delivered by the Confederation of Co-operative Housing (CCH) and Public Participation, Consultation and Research (PPCR) — key players in empowering social housing tenants.
