Good governance is the keystone of an effective housing association and has been the focus of regulatory oversight for many years.
A major part of good governance includes having internal policies and procedures that ensure an appropriate system of controls and checks is in place. We recognise that for these policies and procedures to be effective in allowing organisations to achieve good governance, they need to be user-friendly, practical and clear.
We don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach and we will work with you, as a social housing provider, to prepare the internal policies and procedures that are suitable for your organisation.
How we can help you with our best practice pre-prepared policy toolkits
For a more cost-effective service, we have pre-prepared toolkits, which are being used by many social housing providers across the country. These toolkits contain various best-practice internal policies and procedures (together with board reports). By purchasing of one of these toolkits you would be able to adapt them in-house, as and when you require – for example:
- Legal compliance support;
- Probity policy;
- Charity investment policy; and
- Anti-bribery policy.
Supporting you with reviewing your existing policies
We can also work with housing associations to provide a full review and subsequent updates of existing policies, incorporating legal and best practice requirements, as well as providing appropriate training to board and committee members regarding key changes.
We bring our knowledge of the social-housing sector to bear to prepare documents that incorporate legal and regulatory requirements, best practice in the sector and practical issues that are likely to be relevant to your organisation. Our close links within the sector also mean that we can keep you informed of relevant upcoming developments and legal changes, as well as ensuring these are reflected within your new internal policies and procedures.
Please contact our team to find out how we could help you further.
Provisions within the Housing and Planning Act that remove the need for housing associations (“HAs”) to obtain consent from the Regulator to dispose of social housing (as well as to merge or enter new group structures) come into force on 6 April.
Such freedoms will allow HAs greater flexibility over how they use their assets and, potentially, how they structure their businesses. Our expert panel gathered to discuss the possible opportunities the deregulatory measures offer, together with the likely hurdles. Read the outcome of their discussion here.
We have been recognised for the work we do

Last week, the NHF published its final version of its new Code of Governance and made some important changes from the previous draft that will impact on those housing associations looking to adopt it.

Delayed since Spring 2020 as the Government tackled the Covid-19 crisis, Tuesday 17 November saw the publication of the Social Housing White Paper, setting out the future regulation of the sector

As the UK’s social housing sector recovers from the initial Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown, now is the time to focus on the challenges that may emerge next.

There is no universal approach to regenerating town centres. However, housing must be considered a key part of any regeneration project – providing well-needed new homes and economic growth.

The Government first announced plans for a shared ownership right to buy in October 2019. At the time the sector raised concerns about the impact the plans would have on housing associations ability to borrow. An election and a pandemic later the Government announced, during the CIH Housing Festival last week, the return of the right to shared ownership as part of its Affordable Homes Programme (AHP).

One change proposed by the Building Safety Bill is the introduction of a duty holder regime, which will see statutory responsibility for the safety of higher risk buildings placed on key individuals

Sometimes half an hour at a conference gives you the reality that has been staring you in the face all along. That was my experience watching “Change is on the Horizon”

The Court has confirmed that a party cannot withhold its consent in order to re-write the original bargain.

The Johnny Depp -v- News Group Newspapers trial concluded last week and has been widely publicised and reported on around the World.

AGM season will soon be upon us. One of the many challenges social distancing measures has presented is how to hold AGMs and other General Meetings.
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