Anchor fails to meet RSH’s governance standards
Source: gov.uk (2025-06-25)

The Regulator of Social Housing has downgraded Anchor’s governance grading to G3 in a regulatory judgement published today (Wednesday 25 June), after an investigation found issues of serious regulatory concern.

RSH found insufficient evidence that Anchor has an appropriate, robust and prudent risk and control framework and that it has adequately managed and addressed key risks relating to landlord health and safety.

There is also insufficient assurance that Anchor’s data is robust and that systems and processes are adequate to ensure key information is monitored and accurately reported.

Anchor has identified that there have been errors in its landlord health and safety compliance performance reporting and is undertaking a review of its data, which is ongoing.

Anchor received a C3 consumer grading in February after RSH found serious failings in its delivery of the consumer standards. Anchor was then placed on the gradings –under review list while RSH investigated further issues relating to governance.

RSH also published a range of other regulatory judgements today, including a C3 grading for Slough Borough Council.

Following an inspection, RSH found that Slough Borough Council:

Lacked meaningful tenant engagement and provided limited performance information for tenants

Could not demonstrate how homes were allocated in a fair and transparent way

First Garden Cities Homes and Southway Housing Trust were both downgraded to a G2 governance grading and were regraded to V2 for viability. Both received C2 gradings.

Pickering and Ferens Homes received C1/G1/V1 gradings and Tuntum Housing Association Limited received C2/G1/V2 gradings.

Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said:

Good governance is critical for delivering good services and keeping tenants safe in their homes. All landlords need to make sure they have strong governance and controls in place in order to have a better grasp of strategic risks.

Equally, delivering the outcomes of the new consumer standards is vital for tenants’ health and safety and making sure their voices are heard. Our programme of proactive inspections is helping bring issues to light so they can be put right as soon as possible.

Notes to Editors

RSH regulates housing associations and other private registered providers against its full set of standards. Councils are regulated against the consumer and rent standards only.

More information about RSH’s responsive engagement (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/responsive-engagement-with-landlords), programmed inspections (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/our-approach-to-inspections) and consumer gradings (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-we-approach-regulatory-judgements-and-gradings#governance-viability-and-consumer-grades) is also available on its website.

RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.

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