Four major landlords in the UK's social housing sector have been handed their first-ever consumer grades by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), highlighting a marked increase in scrutiny over how they treat tenants. The grades, released today, show mixed results from those assessed so far.
Aster Group, a housing association, has been awarded a C1 grade, indicating it is meeting the new consumer standards introduced by the RSH. In its assessment, the regulator praised Aster's robust governance arrangements and their ability to manage risks effectively.
Charnwood Borough Council, however, received a C2 grade, suggesting there are areas that need improvement. The council scored well in terms of understanding its housing stock, with surveys completed on 87% of homes within the last five years. But it fell short when it came to monitoring and reporting on anti-social behaviour incidents.
Dover District Council also received a C2 grade, following concerns over how it handles anti-social behaviour and hate incidents. The RSH found that the council was not adequately recording and monitoring these issues, which meant there was limited ability to prevent further incidents.
Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA) Limited was also awarded a C2 grade, with particular concerns over its response to fire risk assessments and shared space safety. Tenant satisfaction with ISHA's approach to anti-social behaviour is low, despite the existence of a clear policy.
The introduction of consumer grades for landlords marks a significant change in how the RSH operates. The Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, which came into effect on 1 April 2024, granted the regulator stronger powers to hold landlords accountable and introduced new consumer standards aimed at driving improvements across the sector.