The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has commissioned an independent inquiry to investigate ‘serious concerns’ at a social housing landlord.

The inquiry into Ash-Shahada Housing Association Limited (ASHA), a London-based landlord providing social housing in London and supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham, will look at whether:

• There are or have been any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest within ASHA’s executive team or board
• The Board and Executive have the necessary degree of skills, independence and effectiveness to manage ASHA’s affairs
• There is any evidence that ASHA, its officers, employees or agents have entered into any arrangements or transactions, made payments, or conferred other benefits for the purpose of advancing the interests of any third parties
• There have been any instances of ASHA’s social housing assets being used in a way that may be inconsistent with applicable policies, procedures, regulatory requirements and any relevant law
• Any officer, employee or agent of ASHA, has contributed to any mismanagement or failure to comply with a standard, and if so to identify such individuals
• Any matters referred to above, or any other matters uncovered by the inquirer in the course of the inquiry, individually or collectively, constitute mismanagement a failure to meet any of the applicable standards.

RSH chief executive Jonathan Walters said: “A statutory inquiry is a serious regulatory tool that we only use very rarely. This reflects the severity of our concerns with ASHA and its longstanding failure to put things right. We will use the independent findings to inform our next steps.”

According to the regulator, certain enforcement powers are only available to it following the commencement of an inquiry where specific conditions are satisfied.

RSH says it will consider the findings of the inquiry and determine whether any further regulatory action is appropriate. It will publish the outcome of the inquiry following its conclusion.