Section: Registered Social Landlords

Housing Corporation Publications

The Housing Corporation launched Maintaining Standards of Probity Good Practice Note 3, setting out how associations can maintain the highest standards of probity in all their dealings.

Published in response to the Elton recommendation to introduce more exemptions to paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1996 (referred to as Schedule 1), the publication provides housing associations with:
- new exemptions, which reduce the burden of regulation on good performing associations; and
- information on how to place decision making in the hands of associations.
Clare Miller, Housing Corporation Director of Regulation, said: "One of the obligations of housing associations under the regulatory code is to make sure that they maintain the highest standards of probity in all their dealings. The association's board is responsible for ensuring that these obligations are met. We believe this guidance will help boards fulfil their duties."
Good Practice Note 3: Maintaining Standards of Probity:

This Note highlights how housing associations can maintain the highest standards of probity in all their dealings by conforming to the requirements of the Housing Act 1996.
Housing Corporation Circular 04/07: Requirement to Submit External Audit Management Letters and Responses.

This Circular sets out the requirement for housing associations to submit all external audit management letters to the Housing Corporation.
Housing Corporation Circular 03/2007: The Housing (Service Charge Loans) Regulations 1992

This Circular advises housing associations of the right to a loan from the Housing Corporation for the year ending 31 March 2008. It replaces Circular 03 2007.

RSL Update

Sanctuary Housing Group removed Lady Ann Fender as Chair and Geoffrey Snow as Deputy Chair of Beth Johnson Housing Association. Beth Johnson merged with Sanctuary and became a subsidiary in 2005.

Sanctuary confirmed the removal of both Lady Ann Fender and Geoffrey Snow from the Board, and commented that it was "to secure the continuance of good governance." It is understood that there have been concerns about a possible reduction by Sanctuary in Beth Johnson's maintenance budgets and interference in day-to-day running matters. Sanctuary said there had been a 20% increase in Beth Johnson's maintenance and reinvestment budget.
Genesis Housing Group was reported to be planning personal plans for all of its tenants to encourage them to become homeowners. These include incentives, such as deposits in tenants' savings accounts in return for maintaining a clean rental account and adhering to the terms in their tenancy agreement.

The initiative responds to the Hills report, which suggests tenants could be given vouchers towards a deposit to buy a house. Other considerations include employment training for tenants.

Detailed plans will emerge from a social audit, which Genesis plans to conduct with some 3,500 tenants. That will explore the types of support tenants would prefer from their landlord, as well as the importance they afford to homeownership.

As part of its programme, Genesis plans to pilot a 10% social Homebuy scheme, subject to government approval. Another scheme, enabling tenants to build up stakes in their home of up to 3%, will be piloted on a new development.

Section: Registered Social Landlords

Housing Corporation Publications

RSL Update

Housing Monthly Diary

Issue: June 2007 Reporting on May 2007

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