Recent judgements from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) highlight the continued regulatory focus on governance, data quality and consumer safety across the housing sector. The findings underline the risks that can arise where assurance arrangements do not provide sufficient oversight of key compliance and control areas.

Findings from the Regulator

The RSH has issued non‑compliance judgements against three local authorities following significant failures to meet consumer standards.

Runnymede Borough Council received a C4 grading, the most serious regulatory judgement, after identifying weaknesses in rent‑setting and wider issues relating to stock condition data. Only 30% of homes had received a full survey since 2021, resulting in the identification of nearly 250 previously unknown hazards. Inspectors also raised concerns around data accuracy and tenant engagement.

The City of London Corporation and Rugby Borough Council were both issued C3 judgements. At the City of London Corporation, more than 1,000 overdue fire safety actions were identified, alongside 18% of homes failing to meet the Decent Homes Standard. Rugby Borough Council was criticised for incomplete stock data and outdated electrical safety checks.

In all cases, the regulator confirmed that the councils are working with the RSH to address the issues identified and implement improvement plans.

Implications for Housing Providers

These judgements reflect a broader regulatory expectation that housing providers maintain reliable data, effective controls and clear oversight of consumer safety and compliance risks. Where weaknesses persist, they can remain undetected without independent challenge—until identified through regulatory intervention.

For boards and audit committees, this reinforces the need for assurance that systems, data and processes are operating as intended, and that emerging risks are identified early.

Supporting Effective Assurance

TIAA supports housing providers and local authorities through independent internal audit and assurance services tailored to the housing sector. Our work helps organisations understand the effectiveness of their governance and control frameworks, providing clear insight into areas of strength and where further improvement is required.

We regularly provide assurance over:

  • Asset management and stock condition data
  • Consumer and building safety compliance
  • Data governance and reporting
  • Regulatory compliance and self‑assessment
  • Delivery of improvement and remediation plans

Our approach is proportionate and evidence‑based, supporting organisations to strengthen assurance and demonstrate regulatory confidence.

Building Confidence Through Insight

The recent RSH judgements serve as a reminder that effective assurance plays a critical role in supporting compliance, protecting tenants and enabling continuous improvement. A well‑embedded internal audit function can provide timely insight and constructive challenge, helping organisations address issues before they escalate.

TIAA works in partnership with housing providers to support resilient governance and assurance arrangements across the sector. If you’d like to discuss how we can support your organisation, please contact us now.