RSLs red tape reduced as HC cuts regulation

14 Feb 08
A two-year-old scheme for assessing the efficiency of housing associations is being relaxed in an effort to cut red tape.

15 February 2008

A two-year-old scheme for assessing the efficiency of housing associations is being relaxed in an effort to cut red tape.

Instead of landlords submitting an annual efficiency statement to the Housing Corporation for 2007/08, the corporation will use data supplied through self-assessment returns to assess if associations are saving money.

Annual efficiency statements were introduced in 2005/06 following the Gershon review. They have consistently shown RSLs exceeding efficiency targets, although doubt was cast on the process when the government initially used the wrong figure for building cost inflation.

Peter Marsh, the corporation's deputy chief executive, said the change demonstrated its commitment to reducing regulation. 'We're delighted to have secured the government's agreement to reward strong performance with a lighter touch data-gathering regime,' he said.

Des Kelly, policy officer at the National Housing Federation said: 'It confirms that housing associations are performing well and the corporation doesn't feel that it needs to monitor them in so much detail.'

PFfeb2008

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