The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published its response to the consultation on changing its regulatory standards.
In a notable shift from its initial proposal, the RSH has confirmed that the new Competence and Conduct Standard – including mandatory qualifications for social housing managers and executives – will be placed into their own, separate standard rather than being folded into the existing Transparency, Influence and Accountability (TI&A) Standard.
Originally, the RSH proposed including the competence and conduct requirements within the TI&A Standard. However, this met opposition from campaign participants, some survey respondents, and sector bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).
Opponents argued that embedding these rules within the TI&A Standard could reduce their perceived importance and risk signalling a downgrading of their significance. They maintained that a standalone standard more accurately reflects the government’s direction and public statements.
The RSH listened to this feedback, concluding that positioning the rules as a separate Competence & Conduct Standard will make the requirements far more visible to both landlords and tenants.
Gavin Smart, chief executive of the CIH, welcomed the decision, stating:
“This sends a strong signal to the sector about the centrality of competence and professional conduct to service quality and resident safety.”
Alongside the new standalone standard, the RSH announced changes to the TI&A standard to introduce new Social Tenant Access to Information (STAIRs) requirements.
Under STAIRs, registered providers will be required to make information relating to the management of social housing available to the public. Providers must proactively publish specific details about their activities (as set out in the government’s policy statement), and tenants will have the right to formally request relevant information and receive timely responses.
Jonathan Walters, chief executive at RSH, emphasised the vision behind these updates:
“Greater transparency, stronger accountability and a stronger tenant voice are at the heart of these changes. They represent an important step towards improving outcomes for social housing tenants, helping residents better see and influence the services they receive.”
Walters added that these updates aim to build a culture where tenant voices are heard, trust is strengthened, and factors contributing to stigma are reduced.
Find out how we’re helping providers prepare for the new standard
- Visit our housing sector page
- Access our Competence & Conduct Standard preparation guide
- Access our benefit table documents to learn how Clever Nelly improves and evidences competence, helps embed the code of conduct, improves assurance, and reduces risk