The United Kingdom Government has announced plans to require councils and social housing providers to give eight weeks' notice before selling social homes outside the sector. This measure is part of new amendments to the Social Housing Bill announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The proposed new disposals notification requirement aims to give councils and other social housing providers a better opportunity to purchase social homes before they are sold outside the sector.
The UK government said the move is aimed at retaining social housing stock amid efforts to strengthen homelessness prevention and ensure that social housing is allocated to people who need it most. The amendments will also give councils new powers to refer homeless households to private registered providers of social housing. This measure is expected to strengthen collaboration between housing associations and councils, reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, and improve access to housing for people in greatest need.
The Bill will introduce a new Duty to Collaborate, requiring public services to work more closely to identify people at risk of homelessness and consider what action they can take within their existing responsibilities to help prevent homelessness. The government said these measures are intended to support councils in addressing homelessness pressures, strengthen partnership working across the housing sector, and maintain the long-term supply of social housing.
The UK government has previously committed £39 billion over 10 years through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme to support the delivery of new social and affordable housing. Councils and housing associations will continue to play a key role in increasing housing supply and providing homes for local communities. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced these plans on September 28, 2026.
The proposed amendments to the Social Housing Bill aim to ensure that social housing is allocated to those who need it most. By giving councils and social housing providers more time to purchase social homes, the government hopes to retain more housing stock within the sector. This, in turn, will help to address homelessness pressures and ensure that social housing is used effectively.
The UK government's plans have been welcomed by those working in the housing sector. The measures are seen as a positive step towards addressing the issue of homelessness and ensuring that social housing is used effectively. The government will continue to work with councils and housing associations to implement these measures and ensure that they are effective in practice.
The Social Housing Bill is part of a broader effort to address the issue of homelessness in the UK. The government is working to strengthen partnership working across the housing sector and maintain the long-term supply of social housing. The measures announced will help to support councils in addressing homelessness pressures and ensure that social housing is allocated to those who need it most.
Key points
- UK govt to require eight weeks' notice before social homes are sold outside sector
- New Duty to Collaborate to help prevent homelessness
- £39 billion committed to support delivery of new social and affordable housing
