Section 72 Housing activities under social rented sector schemeI1

Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (social rented sector: housing complaints) is amended as follows.

In paragraph 1—

In paragraph 2(1)—

After paragraph 2 insert—

“2A

Criteria under paragraph 2(b) of paragraph 2(1) must include criteria preventing a person who—

(a)

is a residential landlord, within the meaning given by section 63 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and

(b)

is not a social landlord,

from becoming a member of the scheme.”

For paragraph 10 substitute—

“10

(1)

The housing ombudsman for the purposes of an approved scheme is to be appointed by the Secretary of State on such terms as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

(2)

The Secretary of State may at any time remove a housing ombudsman from office.

(3)

In relation to an approved scheme which provides for the housing ombudsman to be employed by the person administering the scheme—

(a)

the reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the terms on which the housing ombudsman is appointed includes a reference to the terms of the housing ombudsman’s employment by that person;

(b)

the power of the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (2) to remove a housing ombudsman from office includes power to give the person administering the scheme a direction in writing to cease to employ the individual who is housing ombudsman as housing ombudsman (and a direction under this paragraph may be revoked or varied by a further direction under this paragraph).

(4)

Where an approved scheme does not provide that it is to be administered by a body corporate—

(a)

the Secretary of State may by order provide that the housing ombudsman for the purposes of the scheme is to be a corporation sole, and

(b)

the staff to administer the scheme and otherwise assist the ombudsman in the discharge of functions are to be appointed and employed by the ombudsman.

(5)

Where an approved scheme provides that it is to be administered by a body corporate the Secretary of State may delegate functions under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) to the body administering the scheme.

(6)

A delegation under sub-paragraph (5) may specify—

(a)

the extent to which the functions are delegated;

(b)

any conditions to which the delegation is subject.

(7)

A delegation under sub-paragraph (5)—

(a)

must be in writing;

(b)

may be varied or revoked by the Secretary of State, in writing, at any time;

(c)

does not prevent the Secretary of State from exercising the functions.

(8)

A housing ombudsman is not to be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, privilege or immunity of the Crown or as exempt from any tax, duty, rate, levy or other charge whatsoever, whether general or local, and any property held by a housing ombudsman is not to be regarded as property of, or held on behalf of, the Crown.”

After paragraph 12 insert—

“Interpretation

13

In this Schedule “private rented sector activities” means activities carried on by a person as a residential landlord within the meaning given by section 63 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.”