The Regulator of Social Housing’s (RSH) results of its latest quarterly survey of private registered providers’ financial health show providers are continuing to invest in existing homes and build new ones.

The report, which covers the period 1 October to 31 December 2023, reveals that total repairs and maintenance spend in the quarter reached £2 billion (up from £1.9bn in the previous quarter), while prioritising work relating to damp and mould continues to contribute to providers’ higher spend on existing homes.

Providers spent £3.9bn on building and acquiring new homes in the quarter (up from £3.7 bn) – the highest quarterly spend for eight years.

The amount providers expect to spend on development over the next 12 months has dropped to £15.9bn (5% lower than forecast in the previous quarter), of which £11.5 bn is contractually committed.

The wider economic environment remains challenging, the RSH says. To mitigate risk, some providers have deferred uncommitted development projects or, in a smaller number of cases, arranged covenant waivers with their lenders.

Annual aggregate cash interest cover (excluding all sales) continued to fall, reaching 71% (the lowest level on record). Providers expect interest cover to rise slightly to 80% over the next year.

The sector continued to attract private investment, with £3.7bn of new facilities agreed in the quarter. Although available cash and undrawn facilities both decreased slightly, they remain sufficient to cover forecast spend on interest costs, loan repayments and developments for the next year.

Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, said: “It is encouraging to see the sector raising new finance, which is enabling providers to invest in existing homes and build new ones for the future. But as a result of this higher spend and wider economic pressures, their interest cover remains very low.

“Boards must manage financial risks carefully and deploy appropriate mitigations when needed.”