Public health directors have welcomed measures aimed at improving social housing but called for more action to tackle poor conditions in the private sector.

Under regulations introduced this week, social housing landlords will be ‘routinely inspected and held to account' to ensure they provide residents with quality homes and services.

Social housing landlords will now be expected to keep an accurate record of the condition of every home, and agree clear timelines for the completion of repairs and maintenance.

Tenants will also have to be provided with information about their rights and how to make complaints.

Policy lead for healthy places for the Association of Directors of Public Health, Rachel Wigglesworth, welcomed the powers but said: ‘We would also like to see more action to tackle poor conditions in the private rented sector so that everyone can live in housing that promotes good health and wellbeing and prevents people developing avoidable health conditions that not only limit people's lives and ability to work, but also place demands on our already stretched health and social care services.'