A small for-profit social housing landlord has failed to meet the Regulator of Social Housing’s Governance and Financial Viability Standard in regulatory judgements published today.

Keystage CIC informed RSH in December 2025 about significant liquidity issues, and it was added to RSH’s gradings under review list. The RSH investigation found weaknesses in the way Keystone managed its financial risks and business planning. The regulator says it has been working constructively with Keystage CIC during this time to protect tenants, homes and services.

As a result of these issues, Keystage CIC has appointed an interim chief executive and finance director and has already made progress in addressing its financial challenges. This includes making plans to become a subsidiary of another social landlord through a merger. RSH says it will continue its intensive engagement until Keystage CIC addresses its issues.

The Luton-based landlord owns and manages 34 supported housing and 14 affordable general needs social homes. It also has a portfolio of 196 non-social homes across 27 leased properties.

Kate Dodsworth, RSH’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “The issues we identified in this case demonstrate why financial resilience is essential. Landlords must have robust plans, controls and oversight in place to manage risks and ensure tenants’ homes and services are protected.

“Meeting all regulatory standards is fundamental to maintaining a strong and sustainable sector that can support investment in existing homes and the delivery of more and better social homes.”

RSH also published regulatory judgements for Melton Borough Council (Melton BC) and Look Ahead Care and Support Limited (Look Ahead) today.

Leicestershire-based Melton BC had received a consumer regulation C2 grade in August 2024, but has now been upgraded to C1, having evidenced to RSH that it is now delivering the outcomes of the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard.

The local authority has demonstrated that it identifies when issues occur and puts plans in place to remedy and minimise recurrence.

Commenting on the council’s upgrade, Councillor Ronan Browne, Leader of Melton Borough Council, said: “This is a significant milestone for the council and, most importantly, for our tenants. The regulator’s judgement recognises the hard work that has taken place since the previous inspection and demonstrates our commitment to delivering safe, well-managed homes and high-quality landlord services, and in listening to and learning from our tenants.

“As a council we took the findings from 2024 seriously and had always committed to continuous improvement. This outcome provides independent assurance that the improvements are embedded and are delivering results.

“This outcome can give confidence in the council’s approach as a landlord both now and in the future, and as the first C1 council in Leicestershire, this is a strong basis upon which we can prepare for whatever the future of local government looks like.”

Edd de Coverly, Melton Council Chief Executive, added: “This achievement is the culmination of a huge amount of work from elected members and our dedicated officer team who have worked tirelessly to improve the services and support we provide. I am hugely proud of what we have collectively achieved and am particularly pleased that the regulator has recognised the progress made in strengthening tenant influence and accountability. Our tenants are at the heart of all we do and they have played a pivotal role in shaping these improvements. Their involvement and leadership through the Landlord Assurance Board and tenant engagement groups such as our “Your Voice, Your Choice” have shaped what we have done and made sure services continue to improve.

“While we welcome this positive judgement, we also know there is more to do, and will never be complacent and remain committed to listening to residents and maintaining our focus on continuous improvement.”

Today’s regulatory judgement for Look Ahead confirms a first consumer grade of C2, a governance grade of G2 and a financial viability grade of V2. The landlord owns and manages around 1,100 social homes, and manages around 700 social homes that are owned by other landlords in London and the South East.

RSH found that Look Ahead needs to improve health and safety compliance oversight, particularly around meeting legal timescales for addressing hazards such as damp and mould.

The landlord also needs to improve some aspects of its governance arrangements to support continued compliance, specifically in relation to risk management and oversight of landlord health and safety.

 

 

	Landlord	Consumer grade	Governance Grade	Viability Grade	Engagement Process
	Look Ahead Care and Support Limited	C2 (first grading)	G2 (Assessed and unchanged )	V2 (assessed and unchanged)	Inspection
	Melton Borough Council	C1 (upgrade)	–	–	Responsive engagement
	Keystage CIC	–	–	–	Responsive engagement