Lords Back Review of Shared Ownership as Social Housing Bill Passes Latest Hurdle

The House of Lords has completed another round of scrutiny of the Social Housing Bill, with the report stage debate on Monday 20 July producing outcomes of real consequence for the sector. Report stage gives peers a further opportunity to examine the bill's detail and propose changes, and on this occasion three proposed amendments were put to a vote. Only one was agreed, but it is arguably the most significant for anyone with a stake in social housing.

The amendment that passed requires the government to carry out a review of shared ownership and 'staircasing' — the process by which shared owners buy a greater percentage of their property — within one year of the new law coming into force. That is a meaningful commitment. Shared ownership sits at the awkward intersection of social housing and home ownership, and a formal statutory review will compel ministers to look closely at how the model is working in practice.

Two other amendments were voted on but rejected. The first concerned transition periods for secured tenancies, and the second would have restricted access to social housing for non-British citizens. Both divisions suggest peers were unwilling to make changes in those areas at this stage, whether on principle or on the practical detail of the proposals.

The bill itself has a broad remit. Its stated aims are to protect existing social housing stock, strengthen protections for social tenants who are victims of domestic abuse, cut unnecessary bureaucracy, and repeal unimplemented provisions from earlier housing legislation to clarify the statute book. That mix of protection, reform and housekeeping makes it a bill worth watching closely, since each strand touches a different part of the sector.

The journey so far has been thorough. Second reading, the full debate on the bill's key principles, took place on Monday 1 June, followed by committee stage from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 June, where the bill was examined line by line. Report stage represents the next layer of scrutiny, and third reading — a final chance to 'tidy up' the legislation — is scheduled for Tuesday 1 September.

What does this mean in practice? For social tenants, particularly those affected by domestic abuse, the bill's progress is welcome news, as strengthened protections remain central to its purpose. For shared owners and those considering the route, the agreed review could shape how staircasing works in future, so it is worth following the government's findings once the review begins. Landlords and housing associations should note that the rejection of the tenancy transition and residency restriction amendments leaves the bill's approach in those areas unchanged for now.

With third reading set for September, there is still time for further amendments before the bill completes its Lords passage. Anyone with an interest in social housing policy — whether as a renter, landlord or sector professional — would do well to keep an eye on that date, as the final shape of this legislation will be settled soon after.