The Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) has found satisfaction high among tenants but still has engaged with two associations on governance matters.
In its most recent national report on the Scottish Social Housing Charter, the SHR found that almost nine out of 10 tenants are satisfied with the accommodation and services their social landlord provided them.
Within this, satisfaction with the quality of homes and value-for-money was 84% and 82%, respectively. Findings covered the 2023/24 period, during which the average weekly rent increased to £91.81.
Complaints were also highly addressed, with first-stage complaints responded to in full at 97%. Anti-social behaviour cases were also resolved at 94%.
Despite this, the SHR has recently issued notices to two housing associations.
On 9th October, North View Housing Association was reminded by the SHR to provide the regulator with various important documents such as annual assurance statement, audited statements and five-year financial projections.
On the same date, the SHR also posted an update regarding Knowes Housing Association.
This was regarding a code of conduct matter that Knowes reported in April 2024 and was then subject of an independent investigation.
In response to the governance weaknesses highlighted, Knowes is being required by the SHR to keep the regulator updated as of its progress and the outcome of its independent governance review.
Both associations were noted to currently be compliant with SHR rules.
In May 2024, a national housing emergency was declared by the Scottish Parliament which according to the SHR further intensified the focus on supply of new homes.
In 2023/24 Scottish social landlords provided 630,732 homes to rent which was a 1% increase from the year before.
Overall, across all areas of its charter, the SHR recorded either improvements or no progress. One area of decline, however, was regards to homelessness.
In 2023/24 households were not offered temporary accommodation when they should have been on 7,915 occasions.
During this time, the number of new homeless applications increased by 4% from the previous year to 40,685. This led to 1,916 households reporting rough sleeping the night before making such an application.
