Regulator decides against requiring smaller social landlords to submit tenant satisfaction data

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has decided against requiring smaller landlords to submit Tenant Satisfaction Measures Data.

The decision announced today follows findings from a voluntary pilot of 124 organisations.

Since 2023/24, registered providers which own 1,000 homes or more have been required to submit Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSM) data to the regulator on an annual basis. But the RSH did not make it compulsory for landlords below that threshold.

Instead, the the regulator carried out a voluntary pilot with a range of small social housing providers, including local authorities, almshouses, for-profit providers, supported housing specialists and other private registered providers. 

The aim was to help the RSH understand small providers’ experience of collecting TSMs so far and to assess the potential benefits and challenges of them submitting the data.

The regulator concluded that it will continue with its current approach wherein TSM submissions are voluntary.

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It said: “Results from small providers cannot often be compared directly with each other in a meaningful way, and requiring a TSM data submission could create an additional burden for small providers.”

It also said misleading conclusions could be drawn from the regulator’s publication of the data, said it had “limited potential” for supporting regulation and would have resource implications for the regulator. The RSH cited its duty to exercise its functions in a “way that minimises interference, and (so far as is possible) is proportionate, consistent, transparent and accountable.”