DTP are pleased to share our latest DTP Briefing which we prepare on a quarterly basis. The aim of our briefings is to provide useful updates on relevant sector content, highlight where DTP can assist in providing support and advice on any issues arising from these and to publicise recent DTP social media activity, future events and content. The briefing is shared with our clients, on our website and via our email footer. As always, we welcome feedback and suggestions for future content – please email s.jackson@dtp.uk.com with any thoughts or suggestions.
Our aim is to ensure that our updates reach every relevant individual within your organisation, allowing us to share more social housing sector knowledge. To add a colleague to our mailing list, please visit our website home page and sign them up via the link at the bottom of the page https://www.dtp.uk.com/
Finally, we would like to thank our clients for their ongoing support, we look forward to continuing to work with you and your team.
If you are reading this briefing and are not currently a client, we are happy to have a short call or virtual meeting on a gratis basis, to discuss any challenges you may be experiencing and explore how we could support you. Please contact a member of the team for an informal discussion.
Autumn Statement
Over the last week, the social housing sector has been busy digesting the content of the Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget. We published our initial views on the announcements last week which you can read here.
If you would like to learn more about how DTP can support you in navigating the changes outlined in the Budget, whether through strategic advice, policy analysis or practical support, please get in touch with DTP Managing Director Andy Roskell, a.roskell@dtp.uk.com or DTP Director Andy Gladwin, a.gladwin@dtp.uk.com
Regulator of Social Housing Inspection
The last few months has seen the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) publish its gradings arising from provider inspections, both private registered provider and local authorities. We are delighted to have supported a range of different clients in their inspection preparations, including several that have been upgraded to a G1 rating, retained their G1 and/or received a C1 grading in the first year of the new Consumer Regulation regime.
We have a very flexible approach to inspection preparation which is tailored to each client’s needs and are happy to provide as much or as little support as you feel you require. This can range from a mix of guidance, document review and interview coaching, through to a full “mock inspection”. We provide objective, critical review using the same methodology as that employed by the RSH. We always recommend that providers undertake preparation for inspection at their earliest opportunity, and should timescales allow, we can supplement this with a detailed review of self-assessed compliance against the Economic and Consumer Standards. We have a range of case studies on our website and in November will be participating in a joint webinar with our client Barnsley Council and Berneslai Homes and producing a podcast with Salix Homes.
If you would like to hear more about our advice in relation to inspection preparation, we will also be delivering a short virtual session on the subject on the 22 January 2025. To sign up to join that session please follow this link:
Future Social Housing Rent Policy
The Government published its long awaited consultation on the future of social housing rent policy and draft direction to the RSH for the Rent Standard on the 30 October 2024. The consultation runs until 11.45 on the 23 December and can be found here.
Providers will be pleased that there is to be confirmed rent policy for at least 5 years with rent increases generally permitted at up to CPI plus 1% (unless the existing rent for Social Rent homes exceeds formula rent plus rent flexibility level where it will continue to be capped at CPI only).
The draft direction to the RSH and draft Policy Statement do not represent significant change, and there is no indication that the Government is open to a further period of ‘rent convergence’ in relation to Social Rent, where rents are currently below the maximum formula rent plus rent flexibility, as it remains concerned about the affordability implications for tenants. There are some proposed changes however which include:
DTP offer a range of training and workshops for Boards, Committees, Executive Teams and colleagues which can be tailored to your individual requirements:
From January 2025, we will be delivering a short virtual session each month, beginning as we have noted above, with ‘RSH Inspection Preparation’ on the 22 January 2025. If you would like to find out more about the training that DTP can offer, please contact s.jackson@dtp.uk.com
You can find the full range of services that DTP offers on our website here – this month we have launched four new services:
For further information and an informal discussion, please contact Senior Consultant, Andy Chapman a.chapman@dtp.uk.com
We have released a variety of podcasts since our last briefing, with links provided below, all aimed at providing valuable insight and sharing good practice.
Understanding Assets and Liabilities Registers
The Rent Standard and Regulatory Compliance Part 1
The Rent Standard and Regulatory Compliance Part 2
All of our podcasts are available on our YouTube channel here DTP – YouTube
We regularly post a variety of DTP views and updates via our social media activity. If you have not already had chance to review these, please follow the links below:
The importance of data in navigating the new regulations in social housing
Five business and financial planning actions for small housing associations
You can also ‘follow us’ on LinkedIn by using this link DTP LinkedIn
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our most recent briefing, don’t forget, feedback as always is greatly appreciated – please contact s.jackson@dtp.uk.com if you have any feedback that you would like to share.
