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Arm's Length Management Organisations

Answer

I can confirm that the new management transfer power proposed for the social housing regulator OFTENANT at clause 225 of the Housing and Regeneration Bill permits the regulator to transfer management functions of social housing owned by a registered provider to any other specified person (that is, any organisation). This includes arm's length management organisations.Clause 225 is a new power recommended by the Cave Review of social housing regulation. It gives OFTENANT the power to address systematically poor management without transferring ownership of the assets. The power could be used in respect of all a provider's homes or a proportion of them, so it could be used to address issues on a specific estate. The owner of the homes would be subject to the regulatory regime and would ensure the managing agent met any relevant standards. This power could only be exercised following an inquiry under clauses 183 to 186 and is subject to appeal to the High Court.Similarly, if OFTENANT directed the registered provider to put social housing management functions out to competitive tender, under clause 223, an arm's length management organisation could tender for the work and be selected as manager.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

179370; 470 c1524W

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Housing Low incomes Arms length management organisations Social Housing Regulation Review

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk