Regulator of Social Housing confirms fee increase from July to pay for new regulatory regime
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has confirmed a 72% increase in annual fees for larger registered providers as part of a shake-up to ensure its expanded regulatory regime can be funded.
The RSH, following a consultation, has confirmed providers with more than 1,000 homes will from 1 July pay a fee of £9.28 per social housing unit owned, up from £5.40 previously. It means providers will now be paying for the full cost of their regulation.
Councils owning more than 1,000 social homes will also pay fees for the first time, set at £6.63 per social housing unit.
Providers with fewer than 1,000 homes will continue to pay a flat fee, but this will double from £300 to £650.
Organisations will also have to pay a £3,000 registration when applying to become a registered provider, instead of after successfully registering as currently.
RSH said the changes will ensure it has “the resources, skills and capacity” to deliver its wider role. Last month, RSH’s more proactive regulatory role came into force including inspections and new enforcement powers to ensure providers, including council social landlords, comply with a new set of consumer standards.
RSH said 68% of 133 respondents to the consultation agreed with its proposed approach to setting fees for larger registered providers, while 56% of 147 respondents agreed with its proposal for local authority fees. This was based on an estimated fee of £9 to £10 for large RPs and £7 to £8 for councils.
>>See also: Evolution or revolution? What new consumer standards mean for RPs
Fiona MacGregor, chief executive of RSH, said: “The changes to our fee principles will give us the resources we need to deliver our new regulatory role, which will help to drive long-term improvement in social landlords for the benefit of tenants.
“We are grateful for the feedback we received during the consultation, which we carefully considered in reaching the final outcome. We recognise the importance of providing value for money for fee payers and we will continue to focus on regulating in an effective and efficient way.”
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