Homes and Communities Agency

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) took responsibility for the regulation of social housing providers in England on 1 April 2012, following the abolition of the previous regulator, the Tenant Services Authority.

The scope of its regulatory activity applies to registered providers of social housing. As the Regulator it is responsible for maintaining the register of social housing providers, and for setting out the regulatory framework within which they must operate. The Regulatory Framework includes both the regulatory standards which providers must meet, and the way in which the Regulator carries out its functions.

The focus of its activity is on governance, financial viability and value for money as the basis for robust economic regulation; maintaining lender confidence and protecting taxpayers.

While it sets consumer standards, the primary responsibility for resolving issues with these is between landlords and their tenants at a local level. It will only intervene in cases of serious detriment that have caused, or are likely to cause, harm.

Its regulatory responsibilities are discharged through a new independent Regulation Committee, and within the parameters of the new Regulatory Framework.

The Homes & Communities Agency requires all registered providers to publish a report for their tenants on how they are meeting the regulatory standards, including their local offers, by 1 October of each year.