UK plans eight-week notice before social homes are sold

The UK government has announced plans to require councils and social housing providers to provide eight weeks' notice before selling social homes outside the sector. This new disposals notification requirement is part of amendments to the Social Housing Bill, announced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on September 28, 2026.

The measure aims to retain social housing stock and ensure that it is allocated to those who need it most, as well as strengthen collaboration between housing associations and councils. Additionally, the government has introduced a new Duty to Collaborate, which requires public services to work more closely to identify people at risk of homelessness and take action to prevent it.

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