The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) and its 16,000 members in England support the Tenant Services Authority's (TSA) move to co-regulation, where tenants will have a formal role in self-regulation and the power to bring about change in social housing.

In its response to the consultation "Building a New Regulatory Framework", CIH has urged the TSA to make clear what co-regulation will mean in practice for tenants, as well as housing providers. CIH welcomes the shift in approach towards focusing on outcomes for tenants, rather than the processes by which these are achieved. The submission is clear that this approach should be shaped by tenants' views and options, rather than being too prescriptive.

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CIH members have raised concerns over the timetable for development of the new regulatory framework. They warned that there needs to be adequate time to develop the new standards in a way that meets the shared ambitions of tenants, housing providers and the regulator to deliver on the statutory objectives and the five principles of good regulation.

CIH Chief Executive Sarah Webb said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to create a new regulatory system that puts tenants at the centre of delivering better housing. We are pleased that the TSA has been active in engaging both tenants and professionals in shaping the new model - firmly taking a co-regulatory approach from the outset and emphasising that the relationship that matters most is that between tenants and providers. Our ambition has to be not just securing a robust framework for today but also establishing clear principles of co-operation so that regulation can develop over time as the relationship between tenants and landlords also changes."

(CD/KMcA)