Regulator of Social Housing – More and Better Social Homes

NHC Response to Call for Evidence

The Regulator of Social Housing’s More and Better Social Homes call for evidence focuses on how the regulatory framework can support the delivery of more social homes while improving the quality of existing homes.

The discussion document reflects significant changes in the sector since the economic standards were last revised, including tighter finances, sector consolidation, the need to increase housing supply and improve existing homes, and the emergence of new investment models and for-profit providers.

The proposals are structured around three themes:

1. Essentials for more and better homes 

This section sets out ideas about the essentials that social landlords should have in common to deliver more and better social homes such as being centred on social housing, being independent and autonomous, financially sustainable, effective and capable of failing safely.

2. Accountability for more and better homes 

Proposals are put forward to drive the delivery of more and better social homes while protecting tenants, homes and investors. This includes maximising value throughout the business plan, understanding ability to develop and acting on it, testing financial resilience, keeping the long-term value of social housing in the sector and increasing efficiency.

3. Regulating for more and better social homes

A change of approach to regulatory engagement is proposed on data and reporting as the round of inspections in 2028 is completed. This could include more targeting and tailoring of work using risk, improving data and making more use of good quality data to identify risks, taking quicker action to address weaknesses and failure and promoting collaborative innovation.

Key Implications for Providers

This is an important opportunity for members to engage with the Regulator and influence these proposals before they are consulted on next year and come into effect in 2028. There are many significant aspects to these proposals including:

• Closer scrutiny of strategy and delivery with proposals for business plans having to demonstrate credibility to support growth, quality and value.
• Greater emphasis on measurable outcomes – clearer targets, stronger benchmarking and greater transparency, particularly in development, efficiency and resilience.
• Increased attention to governance – renewed scrutiny of independence, asset control and how funding models align with tenants’ interests.
• Higher expectations for risk management and resilience – more robust stress testing, clearer financial measures and more transparent contingency planning are likely to be required.
• A greater differentiation in regulatory approach – the level and nature of regulatory engagement may vary considerably according to each provider’s risk profile, size and strategic significance.

Following consultation with our members, the NHC has submitted its views which can be read here.

The proposals are intended to stimulate discussion prior to a formal consultation. Feedback is invited until 30 September 2026, with consultation expected in 2027 and potential implementation from 2028.