Abigail Davies joins regulator as it gears up for expanded consumer role


The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has hired Abigail Davies as head of policy, strategy and impact.

Davies previously worked at consultancy Savills for nearly seven years in total as a director and associate director, delivering consultancy advice on governance and social landlord regulatory compliance.

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Abigail Davies has started a new role as head of policy, strategy and impact at the Regulator of Social Housing 

Before that, Davies worked for the Chartered Institute of Housing for 10 years in a number of roles including assistant director of policy and practice.

The appointment comes as the RSH prepares to take on a significantly expanded remit under the Social Housing Regulation Act.

A job advertisement for the role said: “The RSH is faced with a growing range of policy questions to deal with, a wider set of objectives to deliver against, increasingly high-profile casework and a fast-changing operating environment.

“This increases the need for capacity to think strategically, consider scenarios and risk, and develop and monitor effective responses.”

Under the new legislation, which Michael Gove says will “drive up standards” in social housing, RSH will be given the power to routinely inspect social landlords. The RSH is gearing up to inspect every large social landlord, including local authorities on a rolling four-year basis.

>>See also: Regulator to start piloting inspections as it gears up for new consumer role

>>See also: ‘Landmark’ Social Housing (Regulation) Act becomes law

The new legislation beefs up the consumer role for the RSH, adding objectives of safety, transparency and energy efficiency to its formal objectives.

Currently, the RSH can usually only intervene on a consumer issue where a ‘serious detriment’ test is passed – placing a high threshold on the regulator’s ability to use its powers. The bill removes this test, meaning RSH can intervene in more tenant complaint cases.

It gives RSH the power to set performance improvement plans backed up with penalties for landlords who do not deliver. The RSH will also have the power to issue unlimited fines, order emergency repairs and access homes at 48 hours’ notice.

The legislation also makes it a legal requirement for around 25,000 ‘senior housing managers’ to hold specific qualifications.

 

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