One In 10 Associations Believe Regulator Could Do More To Tackle Breaches

In its second annual survey of stakeholders, the RSH asked a new question over whether it takes “appropriate action” where consumer standards have been breached or tenants have been at “significant risk of detriment”. Of the organisations that completed the question, 10% of respondents disagreed that the regulator took appropriate action, while 2% strongly disagreed. Of the larger housing associations, 6% either disagreed or strongly disagreed, while 12% of small associations disagreed. Overall 28% of respondents referred to as ‘other stakeholders’ – including tenant groups – said they disagreed the regulator was doing enough. Read more on Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/one-in-10-associations-believe-regulator-could-do-more-to-tackle-breaches-64001?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/one-in-10-associations-believe-regulator-could-do-more-to-tackle-breaches-64001?utm_source=Housing60&utm_medium=email&utm_content=article_link&utm_campaign=H60

Regulator Issues Guidance To Councils On Compliance With Consumer Standards

The Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) has issued a letter to local authority Chief Executives to remind councils of their obligations under the Regulator's consumer standards, particularly with respect to the Home Standard expectations on health and safety. The letter has been issued following Regulatory Notices issued by the RSH to two local authorities in respect of failures to comply with the Home Standard (part of the regulator's Consumer Standards) and specifically a range of health & safety requirements. The letter reminds local authorities that their obligations under the Home Standard remain with the local authority where it is the stock-owning body, even if the management has been contracted to another body such as an Almo. Read more on the ARCH website.

http://www.arch-housing.org.uk/news/latest-news/regulator-issues-guidance-to-councils-on-compliance-with-consumer-standards.aspx

Regulator Should Be Widened ‘To Cover All Landlords Of Social Housing’

In response to the Social Housing Green Paper, the National Federation of ALMOs has issued some strong recommendations on the future for regulation. The trade body, which represents ALMOs around the country, said “regulation needs to have teeth”. It added: “The Social Housing Regulator should be strengthened to be proactive in relation to consumer standards and widened to cover all landlords of social housing, including councils and their managing agents.” The body also called for residents to “be involved” where they want to be in the regulation of their landlord and that there needs to be “stronger representation for tenants at a national level”. It added this could be supported by “strong regional structures underneath” the representation at national level. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/regulator-should-be-widened-to-cover-all-landlords-of-social-housing/

Ministers Consider Sector ‘League Tables’ For Social Housing Green Paper

Ministers have been exploring the idea of ‘league tables’ of housing associations as a key policy recommendation in the imminent Social Housing Green Paper. Officials have been developing the idea of publicly available leagues tables to rank associations’ performance in terms of services to tenants. Sources said the league table suggestion would involve ranking housing associations on key metrics, such as the time taken to complete repairs, customer satisfaction or complaints. The paper is expected to include proposals surrounding a beefed-up role for consumer standards in regulation and suggestions of ways to reduce stigma for social housing tenants. Read more on Inside Housing.

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