First and foremost, the government has set out a Charter, which outlines what social housing tenants should expect from their homes and landlords. Landlords include anyone who rents social homes to people. The seven expectations include:
- To be safe in your home
- To know how your landlord is performing
- To have complaints dealt with promptly and fairly
- To be treated with respect
- To have your voice heard by your landlord
- To have a good quality home and neighbourhood
- To be supported to take your first steps towards ownership
Social housing residents should also receive a tenant handbook, which states a list of the social housing landlord’s repair and maintenance responsibilities. This handbook should include information on how to contact the social housing landlord, details about how to report a problem within the home or neighbourhood as well as a list of tenants rights and responsibilities.