What social landlords in England are judged on.
The Regulator of Social Housing sets two groups of standards. Consumer standards cover the service tenants get. Economic standards cover how the organisation is run. Here’s what each means, for residents and for you.
Four standards about the service residents receive.
Since April 2024 these apply to every registered provider, including councils. Landlords with more than 1,000 homes are inspected against them at least every four years.
Safety and Quality Standard
Homes are safe, decent and well maintained, landlords know the condition of every home, and repairs are done well and on time.
What it means → TIATransparency, Influence and Accountability Standard
Tenants are treated fairly and with respect, can influence decisions, get clear information and have complaints handled well.
What it means → NCSNeighbourhood and Community Standard
Shared spaces are kept clean and safe, landlords work with partners, and anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse are tackled.
What it means → TSTenancy Standard
Homes are let fairly, tenants get help to keep their tenancy, and tenure and mutual exchange rules are clear.
What it means →Three standards about how the organisation is run.
These apply to housing associations and other private registered providers. Councils are covered by the Rent Standard only.
Governance and Financial Viability
Good governance, sound finances and proper risk management. Graded G1 to G4 and V1 to V4.
Read more →Value for Money
Getting the most out of resources and reporting on it openly, with clear targets and measures.
Read more →Rent Standard
Rents set and increased within the limits government sets, applied correctly to each home.
Read more →How the regulator scores landlords.
| Grade | Covers | Scale | What a good result looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer (C) | All four consumer standards, as one grade | C1 to C4 | C1: the landlord is delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards |
| Governance (G) | Governance part of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard | G1 to G4 | G1: governance meets the requirements |
| Viability (V) | Financial viability part of the same standard | V1 to V4 | V1: meets requirements and can withstand reasonable stress |
Grades 1 and 2 are known as compliant. Grades 3 and 4 are non-compliant and usually lead to regulatory action. Councils receive a consumer grade but not G or V grades.
Rules that sit alongside the standards.
Awaab’s Law
Legal timescales for investigating and fixing damp, mould and other serious hazards.
Read more →Competence and Conduct
Qualifications and codes of conduct for people who run housing services.
Read more →Tenant Satisfaction Measures
22 measures collected each year and published. Part of the Transparency standard.
Read more →Complaint Handling Code
The Housing Ombudsman’s statutory code on how landlords must handle complaints.
Read more →Every standard, already built in.
Be Assured holds all four consumer standards as plain questions, with the evidence you need for each one.