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29 August 2008

Successful interventions by The Scottish Housing Regulator highlighted in new report


A new report highlighting the success of decisive support and intervention action by The Scottish Housing Regulator has been published today. Governance Matters, sets out a series of real-life case studies where housing associations got into difficulties. Aimed primarily at housing associations, the report is designed to help the housing sector learn the lessons from these cases and to work more effectively when problems arise.

The report highlights:

• That while housing associations are generally well-managed, there are some cautionary lessons for everyone here. Even the most successful organisations and the most well-intentioned governing bodies need to be ready with strong governance frameworks when things go wrong or relationships break down.




• That the regulator’s support was important in making sure organisations took the right steps to resolve problems.




• Problems can be resolved more quickly and more positively where housing associations work openly and constructively with the regulator, whose primary concern is to protect the interests of tenants.

Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator said:

“Most housing associations are well run and well governed, but these real-life case studies show how easy it is for small problems to get out of hand if they aren’t tackled properly. Sometimes it’s about errors of judgement, sometimes the organisation doesn’t have an agreed way of dealing with tricky complaints, and sometimes volunteers on governing bodies simply need to know when to get expert, independent advice. But in every one of the cases in this report, there is some weakness of governance. This report sets out how best to stop problems arising in the first place – prevention is better than cure. But where a cure is needed, the regulator can help secure the right remedy to get things back on track, in the interests of tenants, lenders and the public purse.”

Governence Matters is available on the Scottish Housing Regulator’s website – www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.

Note to editors:

The Scottish Housing Regulator was established from 1 April 08 following the abolition of Communities Scotland. Although it is now a separate, specialist regulation agency, it has a long-established and successful track record of regulating social housing providers over the last 30 years within previous organisations.

1. The regulator’s overall purpose is to regulate to:


► Protect the interests of current and future tenants, and other service users;


► Ensure the continuing provision of good quality social housing in terms of decent homes, good services, value for money and financial viability; and


► Maintain the confidence of funders.

2. Governance in the housing association sector means the leadership, direction and control of the association to ensure it meets its aims. The Regulator has previously published a Regulatory Code of Governance [link] which sets out the regulatory requirements for the good governance of housing associations.

3. The Regulator has a risk-based approach to housing regulation and engages with housing associations when it needs to be assured that a problem is being handled properly.

Contact name: Roisin Harris

Contact number: 0141-305-4199