New protection for domestic abuse survivors tabled in Parliament

An amendment to the Social Housing Bill has been tabled, aiming to help survivors of domestic abuse stay in their homes while the perpetrator is evicted.

The new measure would stop survivors having to prove abuse again where a protection order is already in place, aiming to strengthen reforms already laid out in the bill to protect joint tenancies from abusive partners.

Housing secretary Angela Rayner said: “No survivor should have to choose between staying with their abuser or losing their home, community and support network. We are changing the law so the perpetrator, not the survivor, can be made to leave.

“Abusers will no longer be able to use a shared home as a weapon of control. Survivors will get the certainty of knowing their tenancy and their social home are protected.”

Several further amendments to the proposed law were introduced this week, including stronger support for council tenants to take charge of repairs, maintenance and communal services through a simpler Right to Manage.

Meanwhile, the disposals notification period could be extended from four to eight weeks, giving local authorities and housing associations more time to consider buying social homes before they are sold off from the sector.

Councils may also have more control over protecting eligible rural areas from the Right to Buy scheme.

The bill would require councils and public services to identify and support people at risk of homelessness before they lose their home, while housing associations would need to offer suitable homes to households referred by councils unless they “have good reason not to”.

Veterans would be able to seek homelessness support from any council in England regardless of local connection rules.

Rachael Williamson, executive director of policy, communications and external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “Alongside long-term investment in social and affordable housing, these reforms have the potential to improve outcomes for residents, strengthen communities and help ensure social housing continues to meet the needs of current and future generations.”

Also confirmed yesterday (Tuesday), residents of buildings managed by tenant management organisations (TMOs) will be able to submit Freedom of Information requests about housing services from April 2027. This measure is part of the government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry, which linked failings by the Kensington and Chelsea TMO to the fire. 

The Social Housing Bill was introduced to Parliament on 14 May 2026. Amendments will be tabled as the bill progresses through its Commons stages.