Monday 1 April 2024 is a date that will be remembered for council housing. It's the date when proactive consumer regulation was introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing, triggered in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

For the first time in over a decade, the way in which councils let, manage and maintain their homes, and keep tenants safe is subject to regulatory spotlight with the regulator now inspecting councils, housing associations and a new group of for-profit providers. The results of the regulator's engagement – which also occurs when providers self-refer matters of potential concern – are now published for all to see with all providers being awarded a ‘C' (consumer) grading.