Commentary on provisions of Act The Regulator of Social Housing Section 2: Advisory panel
Section 2 amends the HRA 2008 by inserting a new section 96A. Subsection (1) requires the regulator to set up an Advisory Panel (the Panel). The Panel will comprise of a range of voices from across the sector, including tenants and landlords, enabling them to inform the regulator on a wide range of matters connected to the regulation of social housing. The regulator will refer to the Panel when they see fit, but the Panel will also be able to proactively raise issues affecting social housing regulation with the regulator. The Panel must include, but is not restricted to, the persons specified in subsection (4).
	The Panel’s remit is the provision of information and advice to the regulator about the regulator’s functions (or matters connected with them). Matters the Panel may provide advice on include, but are not limited to, significant proposed changes to the regulatory standards and codes of practice, proposed changes to the regulator’s approach to regulating the standards, and key sector issues and risks. For example, the regulator may engage the Panel on the design and implementation of new consumer standards and how it engages with key stakeholders such as tenants. This will help shape the regulator’s view prior to formal consultation.