RSH Chair highlights landlords’ role in achieving more and better social housing
Bernadette Conroy, Chair of the Regulator of Social Housing, today (20 November 2024) used her keynote speech at the Social Housing Annual Conference to remind social landlords of their vital role in building more homes and improving existing homes for tenants
Bernadette spoke of the competing priorities faced by landlords, which were likely to continue for some time. She said that “expectations of better existing homes are rightly high”.
Bernadette said that “the financial situation social landlords face is as challenging as at any time in the past decade”.
She added that this “tighter financial headroom means less margin for error” and that means it is “more important than ever that landlords manage their resources carefully and make sure they have a strong grip on their financial position”.
Despite these challenges, Bernadette noted that “the sector remains an attractive destination for private capital” and that “most landlords remain viable, while investing record amounts to improve their tenants’ homes and build new ones for the future.”
Following the launch of RSH’s programme of planned inspections based on the existing economic standards and the new consumer standards in April, Bernadette said “not all landlords are where they need to be yet” and that ensuring tenants were safe in their homes was “non-negotiable”. She reminded landlords of the need to self-refer when they find or suspect a material issue – and not wait for an inspection.
Bernadette concluded her speech by saying: “the social housing sector can deliver but this is no time for anyone to take their eye off the ball. Individual landlords need to keep an iron grip on financial and operational risk, a dedication to driving improvement in their businesses and a firm focus on current and future tenants.”
Notes to editors
RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver and maintain homes of appropriate quality that meet a range of needs. It does this by undertaking robust economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action if the outcomes of the standards are not met.
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