Michael Gove thanks people who contacted him as part of Crisis’ Regulate the Rogues campaign.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, has written to Crisis CEO Matt Downie in response to our successful Regulate the Rogues campaign.

A few months ago, we asked you to share a message with Michael Gove from Richard, Hannah and Sam – three people with direct experience of poor-quality exempt accommodation.

Exempt accommodation is a form of shared housing for people with support needs. Your messages urged him to back a Bill in Parliament to force out rogue landlords and protect residents.

In his official response, the Secretary of State thanked “all the members of the public who have written to me as part of the Regulate the Rogues campaign.”

It’s rare that we receive direct recognition from a Secretary of State on the impact of people contacting them about a campaign. This shows the power we have when we all take action together. And it shows that public pressure on politicians works.

Read the full letter

Michael Gove also states that he is giving “his full support” to the Supported Housing Bill and will "drive the implementation of the measures in the Bill."

The Bill has now passed into law – a huge campaign win that has the potential to transform the lives of thousands of people facing homelessness across the country.

In his letter, the Secretary of State said that he “was grateful” for our campaign which “highlighted the lived experience of people who have been directly impacted by this totally unacceptable situation.”

He mentions by name Richard and Hannah – two Crisis members who experienced unacceptable conditions living in exempt accommodation run by rogue landlords – and Sam, a housing officer who bravely shared their professional experiences.

You played a huge part in this – whether you shared a message with Gove, signed our open letter, emailed your MP or shared content online.

What will the Act do?

 

This important new legislation, which has now officially become law, will dramatically improve the lives of tens of thousands of people who have been forced to live with the misery of unregulated exempt accommodation.

This is a type of shared housing for people with support needs, such as a mental health condition or experience of homelessness or domestic abuse.

Landlords are supposed to provide support to help residents live independently and eventually move to a home of their own. There are many excellent providers who do this and make a hugely positive impact on people’s lives, including many of our campaign partners.

But until now, a lack of regulation has allowed an increasing number of rogue landlords to exploit the system for profit. Many leave residents in unsafe, dangerous shared housing with little or no support, despite charging high fees.

The Act will give councils new powers to regulate this type of housing and provide more protection for people made homeless because they’ve left poor quality accommodation.

It will also lead to the creation of a new national advisory panel which will work with the Government to oversee change and improve standards.

When we take action, we can make a real difference to the lives of people facing homelessness.

Be part of our next campaign victory. Join us by signing up to be a Crisis campaigner.