Government unveils Social Housing Bill with new domestic abuse eviction powers

The government has introduced the Social Housing Bill, which includes significant new powers for social housing landlords to evict domestic abusers. The legislation also proposes reforms to the Right to Buy scheme, aiming to protect social housing stock and support victims of abuse.

New eviction powers to protect victims of domestic abuse

The Social Housing Bill, set for its second reading in Parliament this week, seeks to address a critical issue where domestic abusers exploit housing laws to make victims homeless. Under the proposed changes, social housing landlords and the courts will be empowered to remove perpetrators of domestic abuse without requiring the victim to leave the property first.

Currently, eviction of an abuser typically only occurs after the victim has vacated the home, often forcing victims in joint tenancies to end their tenancy altogether. The bill aims to close this loophole by preventing a Notice to Quit served by an abuser from automatically ending a joint tenancy while court proceedings are ongoing.

Additionally, courts would be able to transfer a joint tenancy into the victim’s sole name. If the victim cannot remain in the property, social housing landlords may be required to provide suitable alternative accommodation.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasised the moral imperative behind these reforms, stating: “Victims of domestic abuse have faced an impossible choice, stay in danger or make themselves homeless. This is a moral failure this government is determined to end and these changes are deeds not words that put victims first, give landlords the powers they need, and make sure perpetrators can no longer use housing as a weapon of control.”

Addressing the challenges of Right to Buy

Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted that the Social Housing Bill also tackles longstanding issues with the Right to Buy scheme. Introduced in the 1980s under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the policy allowed council tenants in England and Wales to purchase their homes from local authorities.

However, critics have argued that the scheme has contributed to a decline in social housing stock. Mr Starmer said: “We’re also fixing the systemic issue of failing to protect and invest in social housing. I will never stand by as much-needed housing is sold off while families do not have a safe place to call home and children are growing up in temporary accommodation.”

He added: “This government will stop at nothing to get Britain building, invest in social housing, and restore pride in communities in every part of our country.”

Key reforms to Right to Buy

The bill proposes that Right to Buy discounts will start at 5% of a property’s value, increasing by one percentage point each year up to a maximum of 15%, subject to revised cash caps. Newly built social and affordable homes would be exempt from the scheme for 35 years.

Tenants who have previously used Right to Buy would generally be barred from using the scheme again, except in cases involving domestic abuse or irretrievable relationship breakdown. Council homes let at market rent would also be exempt.

The reforms extend the repayment period for Right to Buy discounts if a property is resold, increasing it from five to ten years. This aims to discourage quick resale and help maintain social housing stock.

What this means for landlords

For social housing landlords, the bill offers enhanced tools to protect vulnerable tenants and manage tenancies more effectively in cases of domestic abuse. The ability to evict perpetrators without displacing victims could reduce the trauma and instability that abuse victims currently face.

Landlords will need to be prepared to navigate the new legal framework, including potential court processes to transfer tenancies and provide alternative accommodation. The reforms to Right to Buy may also influence long-term tenancy management and stock retention strategies.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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