13 June 2008
The new independent watchdog for social housing has been renamed, just eight months after it was given the title of the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords.
Ministers are understood to have become embarrassed at people making fun of its shortened name – Oftenant – and have instead plumped for the Tenant Services Authority. The authority will regulate housing associations from next April, and local authorities and arm's length management organisations within a further two years.
Housing minister Caroline Flint appealed for tenants to fill two of the eight positions on the board. Speaking on June 6, she said: 'The new regulator will have wide-ranging powers to effect change across the social housing sector and to ensure that the interests of tenants are protected.'
Mark Soundie, executive director of national tenants' group Taroe, said it welcomed the fact that the word 'tenant' had moved even further up the political agenda but added that the regulator's name 'should probably contain the word “landlord” as well'.
PFjun2008
