Tpas delivers policy and strategic level support to individual organisations

Policy and influence

Housing policy works best when it is shaped by the people who live with its consequences.

Tpas brings the experience of tenants, landlords and communities into national housing policy. We listen to our members, gather evidence about what is happening on the ground and use it to influence government, regulators, parliamentarians and the wider housing sector.

Our role does not end when a new law, standard or policy is announced. We explain what changes mean in practice and help tenants and landlords work together to implement them effectively. This includes policy briefings, consultation responses, practical toolkits, research, member discussions and direct engagement with decision-makers.

Our policy work focuses on:

• Strengthening tenant influence and accountability
• Improving housing quality, safety and landlord services
• Ensuring regulation delivers meaningful change for tenants
• Supporting inclusive, accessible and effective engagement; and
• Giving tenants a voice in decisions made locally, regionally and nationally

Tpas members help shape our positions through regional events, networks, focus groups, surveys and communities. We report back on what we have heard, what we have said and what difference it has made.

Tpas National Tenant Engagement Standards

We've brought together flexible principles for delivering excellent tenant involvement. If you'd like to see the standards, you can download here.

Regulation and Consumer Standards

The regulation and consumer standards will transform the way social housing is run, regulated and crucially the way tenants can influence services.

Current Policy Work

• From Devolution to Participation
  • England is entering a new phase of devolution and regional governance reform.  New powers, funding arrangements and strategic responsibilities will shape communities for decades to come. You can download our From Devolution to Participation information and report here
• Awaab’s Law Phase 2
  • Phase 2 of Awaab's Law comes into force on 30th November 2026, expanding strict repair deadlines to seven new hazard categories in English social housing
• The Competence and Conduct Standard
  • The government is committed to ensuring that tenants’ experiences and voices are at the heart of the social and affordable housing system and inform the design and delivery of our reforms
• Consumer standards
  • The consumer standards are four mandatory rules set by the Regulator of Social Housing to ensure social housing tenants in England receive safe homes and high quality services
• STAIRs
  • The proposed introduction of Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRS) by the Housing Ombudsman represents one of the most important transparency shifts in social housing for many years. 

As a Tpas member you can:

• Read our latest policy briefing
• Read the latest Housing Hotdesk
• Explore our current campaigns and policy priorities
• Find practical guidance and toolkits

You can always contact Caritas Charles - Head of Policy at info@tpas.org.uk to tell us what you are experiencing, or find out more.