Social housing landlord faces independent RSH inquiry

A social housing landlord faces an independent inquiry into potential conflicts of interest, the use of its housing assets and possible mismanagement.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has commissioned the inquiry into serious concerns at Ash-Shahada Housing Association Limited (ASHA).

The London-based landlord provides social housing in the capital and supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham.

It is a community benefit society, designated as a not-for-profit provider, and has been notified of the inquiry alongside relevant stakeholders.

Serious regulatory concerns

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.”

He added: “We will use the independent findings to inform our next steps.”

Housing management scrutiny

The inquiry will examine whether there are, or have been, actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest within the executive team or board.

It will also assess whether the board and executive have the skills, independence and effectiveness needed to manage the association’s affairs.

Another part of its remit is to establish whether the association, its officers, employees or agents entered into arrangements or transactions, made payments or conferred other benefits to advance third parties’ interests.

It will investigate whether social housing assets have been used in ways that may be inconsistent with applicable policies, procedures, regulatory requirements or the law.

Further regulatory action

The inquiry must also identify any officers, employees or agents who contributed to mismanagement or a failure to comply with a standard, and determine whether the matters uncovered, individually or collectively, amount to such failings.

Although independent of RSH, the inquiry will report on matters specified by the regulator, which may amend or extend the scope during the investigation.

Certain enforcement powers become available only once an inquiry has begun and specific conditions have been met.

RSH will consider the findings before deciding whether further regulatory action is appropriate and will publish the outcome after the inquiry concludes.