With the new Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 comes a flurry of questions, not least from people asking me who has to be qualified in future.
The law is pretty clear (for once!). The Act itself talks about a “relevant manager” and offers this definition:
(a) a senior housing executive, or
(b) a senior housing manager
Unpacking the detail offers certainty:
“Senior housing executive” means a someone who:
• is an employee or officer of the registered provider
• has responsibility (solely or jointly) for the day-to-day management of the provision of services in connection with the management of social housing provided by the provider, and
• is part of the provider’s senior management
And it helpfully says an individual is part of a registered provider’s senior management if they play a significant role in:
• the making of decisions about how the whole or a substantial part of the activities of the provider which relate to social housing are to be managed or organised, or
• the management or organisation of the whole or a substantial part of such activities.
So there we have it, all of you who can put their hands up to this ^^^ will need to have a specified qualification in housing management or be working towards such a qualification. No room for doubt.
And then there’s the issue of managers. Equally clear as far as I’m concerned.
The Act defines “senior housing manager” as a relevant individual who:
• is an employee of the registered provider, and
• is a senior housing and property manager for the registered provider.
And in case of any doubt (or challenge) the Act cross references to the description of the occupation of senior housing and property management published by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education under section ZA10(5) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. A bit of a mouthful! Don’t worry, I’ve looked it up for you…
Senior housing and property management is defined as someone managing housing or property related services, leading a team and taking responsibility for the cost effectiveness and efficiency of their business area.
And the typical* job titles for this are:
• Neighbourhood housing manager
• Neighbourhood investment manager
• Property manager
• Voids and lettings manager
• Assets manager
• Incomes manager
• Resident involvement manager
• Supported housing manager
• Leasehold manager
*but it’s not necessarily an exhaustive list – don’t think you can change job titles to avoid things!
Panicking? We can help.
Contact us on 0208 123 0804 or info@upkeeptraining.co.uk
Lynda Hance, Director, Upkeep Training
30 November 2023
