One of the UK’s largest specialist housing associations has had its governance grading downgraded to G3 after an investigation found issues of ‘serious’ regulatory concern.

The Regulator of Social Housing found ‘insufficient evidence’ that Anchor has an appropriate, robust and prudent risk and control framework and that it has adequately managed and addressed key risks relating to landlord health and safety.

According to the regulator, there is also insufficient assurance that Anchor’s data is robust and that systems and processes are adequate to ensure key information is monitored and accurately reported.

Anchor, which owns and manages approximately 54,000 rental homes in England and 120 care homes, has identified that there have been errors in its landlord health and safety compliance performance reporting and is undertaking a review of its data, which is ongoing.

Anchor received a C3 consumer grading in February after RSH found serious failings in its delivery of the consumer standards. It was then placed on the gradings –under review list while RSH investigated further issues relating to governance.

RSH also published a range of other regulatory judgements today, including a C3 grading for Slough Borough Council.

Following an inspection, RSH found that Slough Borough Council:

• Lacked meaningful tenant engagement and provided limited performance information for tenants
• Could not demonstrate how homes were allocated in a fair and transparent way.

First Garden Cities Homes and Southway Housing Trust were both downgraded to a G2 governance grading and were regraded to V2 for viability. Both received C2 gradings.

Pickering and Ferens Homes received C1/G1/V1 gradings and Tuntum Housing Association Limited received C2/G1/V2 gradings.

Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said: “Good governance is critical for delivering good services and keeping tenants safe in their homes. All landlords need to make sure they have strong governance and controls in place in order to have a better grasp of strategic risks.

“Equally, delivering the outcomes of the new consumer standards is vital for tenants’ health and safety and making sure their voices are heard. Our programme of proactive inspections is helping bring issues to light so they can be put right as soon as possible.”

Responding to the G3 grading, Anchor said: “We fully accept the judgement and are committed to delivering the improvements required to restore confidence in our services and governance processes.

“We apologise for the shortcomings identified and recognise the concern and distress they may have caused residents and their families. We have already made progress on addressing the issues identified:

“We have significantly reduced the backlog of electrical safety inspections and remedial works and remain on track to conclude the full plan during 2025.

“We have engaged technical partners in all our compliance areas as part of a comprehensive programme of assurance.

“We have reviewed our data, are strengthening our risk management framework and improving the accuracy of our reporting to support effective oversight.

“We have made changes to our governance structure and key executive leadership appointments in our asset, property services and governance, risk and assurance functions to drive cultural and operational change.

“Our residents’ safety and trust remain paramount. Our focus remains on delivering safe, high-quality homes and services and ensuring our improvement plan continues at pace.”

 

Provider	Consumer grade	Governance grade	Viability grade	Process
Anchor Hanover Group	C3 (based on previous assessment)	G3 (downgrade)	V1 (based on previous assessment)	Responsive Engagement
First Garden Cities Homes Limited	C2	G2 (downgrade)	V2 (Regrade from V1)	Inspection and Responsive Engagement
Pickering and Ferens Homes	C1	G1	V1	Inspection
Slough Borough Council	C3	N/A	N/A	Inspection
Southway Housing Trust (Manchester) Limited	C2	G2 (downgrade)	V2 (Regrade from V1)	Inspection
The Housing Plus Group Limited		G1	V2	Interim RJ (Merger/ Acquisition)
Tuntum Housing Association Limited	C2	G1	V2	Inspection