Lease-based providers found to have breached Rent Standard

Trinity Housing Association and Westmoreland Supported Housing both breached the standard after their respective boards agreed that there was insufficient evidence that they should be exempt from rent-setting because they provide either SSH or, in the case of Trinity, temporary supported housing (TSH).

“It is a serious matter if an exception from rent requirements is inappropriately applied,” said the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in its regulatory notices, published today (12 October).

“Rents and service charges for a large proportion of [Westmoreland’s and Trinity’s] tenants may have been, and may continue to be, overcharged. As some of the cost of these rents has been met through housing benefit and Universal Credit, there may also be implications for the public purse.”

According to the regulatory notices, the inappropriate application of exemptions means that Trinity and Westmoreland may also have failed to comply with statutory rent requirements under the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, prior to the introduction of the regulator’s Rent Standard.

Both providers have agreed action plans to review their property portfolios against the criteria for SSH and TSH.

“Compliance with the Rent Standard is part of our ongoing dialogue with the Regulator of Social Housing,” said Steve Fensom, chief executive of Westmoreland.

“The regulator has previously acknowledged Westmoreland’s commitment to work with them on this matter. It forms a central plank in our ongoing recovery.”

A spokesperson for Trinity said: “Trinity were given advance notification that the notice would be served, and we are committed to continue working with the regulator to overcome these historic challenges.”