Welcome to HQN and The Housing Quality Network

   

Guidance and briefings

• Short notice inspections – the first nine months – part two

  13 January 2010

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon

• Short notice inspections - the first nine months

  5 January 2010

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon

• Audit services

  29 December 2009

  Network briefing by HQN’s Financial Director, Steve Wood (ACA)

• What does excellence look like? Value for money

  3 December 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon

• What does excellence look like? Asset management and major works

  3 November 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon

• What does excellence look like? Allocations and lettings

  20 October 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon looking at the attributes of excellent three-star organisations inspected by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008. This briefing covers allocations and lettings

• What does excellence look like? Access and customer care

  15 September 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon looking at the attributes of excellent three-star organisations inspected by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008

• What does excellence look like? Gas servicing

  18 August 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon looking at the attributes of excellent three star organisations inspected by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008. This briefing covers gas servicing

• What does excellence look like? Resident involvement

  16 June 2009

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon looking at the attributes of excellent three star organisations inspected by the Audit Commission in 2007 and 2008. This briefing covers resident involvement

• Don't get caught in the regulation funding loop

  29 May 2009

  For assistance with board appraisal and training, governance, performance improvement, inspection, business planning, options appraisals and funding solutions HQN is available to help at all stops

• Audit Commission website

  20 May 2009

  The recent Audit Commission website re-launch has resulted in many of the Audit Commission links on our website no longer linking to the correct documents. We are working to resolve this and in the mean time click on the title of this item to take you to the new Audit Commission website

• It's time to get real... Use mystery shopping and reality checking to check what your services are really like

  7 May 2009

  Whether you are preparing for inspection or looking to drive service improvement, HQN offers a cost effective, credible and independent health check of your front line housing services designed to complement your existing performance management mechanisms and quality checks

• Guidance for short notice inspections

  28 April 2009

  Network briefing by HQN associate, Ellis Blackmore, which includes ideas for the development of outcome focussed self assessment, and invites feedback on good practice which can be shared with other organisations

• Quality counts - A brief guide to quality standards and systems

  30 September 2008

  Network briefing by Cathy Jackson provides an overview of some of the key quality standards used by housing organisations, and whether anecdotal evidence would suggest that those organisations which have achieved externally assessed quality marks have improved their ratings in audit commission inspections

• The inspection of Housing and Council Tax Benefits (and a reference to the National Fraud Initiative)

  18 September 2008

  Network briefing by Ellis Blackmore looks at the inspection process, how LAs can prepare for inspection and the National Fraud Initiative

• Short notice inspections (SNI) of housing associations

  17 September 2008

  Audit Commission Consultation - HQN response

• The Cole Report: delivering cross-domain regulation for social housing

  11 September 2008

  Professor Ian Cole was appointed to chair a panel of independent stakeholders tasked with producing recommendations to government on how to extend the scope of the Tenant Services Authority to include local authority social housing. This report presents the set of final recommendations

• Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

  11 September 2008

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes summarises the background to splitting up the Housing Corporation's functions of funding and regulation and reminds readers of the reasons and objectives behind this change

• Short notice inspections

  15 July 2008

  Network briefing and guidance by Ellis Blackmore explains what to do in detail and how to overcome typical obstacles picking out the relevant key points for Network members

  Additional files:

  • Guidance

  • Briefing

• Climbing to the stars toolkit

  13 May 2008

  Additional files:

  • Word version for completion purposes

• Audit Commission takes on responsibility for housing and council tax benefits inspection

  1 April 2008

  The government’s inspection and assessment of housing and council tax benefits has transferred from the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) to the Audit Commission as a result of proposals in the Government White Paper of 2006

 

Pre-inspection and self-assessment

• Value for money toolkit - 2010 edition

  2 March 2010

  Network toolkit updated by Steve Wood and Robin Tebbutt

• Audit Commission website

  20 May 2009

  The recent Audit Commission website re-launch has resulted in many of the Audit Commission links on our website no longer linking to the correct documents. We are working to resolve this and in the mean time click on the title of this item to take you to the new Audit Commission website

• Guidance for short notice inspections

  28 April 2009

  Network briefing by HQN associate, Ellis Blackmore, which includes ideas for the development of outcome focussed self assessment, and invites feedback on good practice which can be shared with other organisations

• Climbing to the stars toolkit

  13 May 2008

  Additional files:

  • Word version for completion purposes

 

Audit Commission key docs

• Updated strategic approach to housing KLOE

  19 February 2010

  The Audit Commission has published an update to the strategic approach to housing key lines of enquiry (KLOE) for use from 12 April 2010

• Trust, transparency and value for money

  18 February 2010

  Audit Commission consultation paper and associated Equalities Impact Stage 2 Assessment, on its draft strategic plan 2010 which invites comments on the contribution the Commission should make throughout the lifetime of the next Parliament

• Local authority inspection programme

  17 February 2010

  2010/11

• Housing association inspection programme

  17 February 2010

  2010/11

• ALMO completed inspection programme

  17 February 2010

  2010/11

• Short notice inspections – the first nine months – part two

  13 January 2010

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon

• Short notice inspections - the first nine months

  5 January 2010

  Network briefing by John Wheeldon

• Making the most of information resources

  15 October 2009

  Network briefing paper by Margaret Gibson looks at how organisations can be far more effective in their use of intelligence to inform decision-making and to support strong governance and leadership

• The strategic approach to housing – consultation on a new Key Line of Enquiry

  1 September 2009

  Network briefing paper by Gill Leng, Executive Director highlights the changes in the approach and focus proposed by the Audit Commission and other changes HQN feels are significant for local authorities and their partners

• Audit Commission to probe council 'boomerang bosses'

  28 August 2009

  Communities Secretary John Denham has announced a review to examine how Town Hall chief officers are being allowed to walk off with big pay-offs after falling out with the council's political leadership

• Strategic approach to housing KLOE

  31 July 2009

  Audit Commission consultation paper includes a draft version of the refreshed and updated KLOE, used for assessing the strategic approach to housing within a local authority area, and a feedback form for comments by 18 September

  Additional files:

  • Click here to download consultation questions

• Audit Commission website

  20 May 2009

  The recent Audit Commission website re-launch has resulted in many of the Audit Commission links on our website no longer linking to the correct documents. We are working to resolve this and in the mean time click on the title of this item to take you to the new Audit Commission website

• The methodology to be used for the pilot of short notice inspections in local authority housing services and ALMOs has been published

  7 April 2009

  In October 2008 the Audit Commission launched a consultation exercise on proposals for short notice inspections of local authority housing services and arm’s length management organisations (ALMOs). In light of responses to that consultation, the methodology to be used in a pilot programme of inspections is now published
  
  There will be a programme of up to eight pilot inspections running from March to July 2009. These will be focused on councils and ALMOs that have volunteered to take part. The outcomes from this programme will be considered by the Audit Commission Board later in the year to decide whether short notice inspections of local authorities and ALMOs should feature in the forward programme of housing inspections

• Audit Commission announces £3.3m refund

  6 February 2009

  The Audit Commission is to use savings from its efficiency programme to help councils, primary care trusts and other local bodies with the cost of moving to the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), a new way of presenting their accounts to be introduced in 2010

• The harder test – the Audit Commission’s fresh approach to benefits inspection

  13 January 2009

  Network briefing by Jeannie Swales and Claire Turner is based on a presentation at HQN’s Your benefit service – the harder test event by Tim Savill, Benefit Policy Lead at the Audit Commission

• Getting ahead of the game, preparing for inspection – what do you need to do? A guide for Housing Benefit staff

  13 January 2009

  Network briefing by Jeannie Swales and Claire Turner covers all elements of Housing Benefit Inspections, including; Understanding what the Audit Commission are looking for, self assessment and generally on how to prepare for a Housing Benefit Inspection

• Crunch time? The impact of the economic downturn on local government finances

  19 December 2008

  Despite recent scare stories, councils are well placed to ride out the immediate effects of the credit crunch, according to new Audit Commission research. The watchdog has published a study of council finances which shows that most local authorities anticipated the increased costs, and loss of income to some extent

• Councils and ALMOs asked for views on short notice inspections

  20 October 2008

  Proposals for new style short notice inspections of local authority housing services and Arms Length Management Associations (ALMOs) have now been launched by the Audit Commission. The consultation will be followed by a pilot programme of short notice inspections and reflects similar plans announced earlier this year for housing associations. Consultation closing date 1 December 2008

• Statement of methodology for short notice inspections

  14 October 2008

  A summary of the responses to the proposed changes to the methodology for short notice inspections of housing associations

• Learning from pilot benefit inspections – web tool

  29 September 2008

  Through the AC inspections they have identified a variety of approaches to delivering benefit services, and have produced a web tool with case studies to share their findings and to encourage innovation and improvement across local government

• The inspection of Housing and Council Tax Benefits (and a reference to the National Fraud Initiative)

  18 September 2008

  Network briefing by Ellis Blackmore looks at the inspection process, how LAs can prepare for inspection and the National Fraud Initiative

• Short notice inspections (SNI) of housing associations

  17 September 2008

  Audit Commission Consultation - HQN response

• Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

  11 September 2008

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes summarises the background to splitting up the Housing Corporation's functions of funding and regulation and reminds readers of the reasons and objectives behind this change

• Watchdog introduces new housing spot-checks

  19 June 2008

  The Audit Commission is introducing short-notice inspections for housing associations following a successful pilot programme. The shorter inspections will take less time to complete than the conventional inspections, as they will specifically target weaker services. This new approach will reduce the regulatory burden, while at the same time driving through improvements in services to tenants and leaseholders

• Audit and inspection fee scales published for 2008/09

  20 March 2008

  The Audit Commission this week publishes its scales of audit and inspection fees for 2008/09 and indicative fee proposals for 2009/10 and 2010/11

 

CAA

• Total Place programme

  10 December 2009

  Budget 2009 has announced the beginning of the Total Place programme

• John Denham - Welcomes tough new test for public services putting the customer first

  10 December 2009

  A powerful new tool giving local people unprecedented information about the standard of public services in their area has been welcomed by Communities Secretary John Denham

• Audit Commission website

  20 May 2009

  The recent Audit Commission website re-launch has resulted in many of the Audit Commission links on our website no longer linking to the correct documents. We are working to resolve this and in the mean time click on the title of this item to take you to the new Audit Commission website

• Innovative joint assessments of England's local areas get under way today

  1 April 2009

  Work on a new way of assessing the quality and effectiveness of local public services starts this week. Later this year residents will be able to see how their areas are doing, based on focused judgements of the outcomes from spending and services

• New council assessment regime will address toughest local challenges

  13 February 2009

  CAA will report on how well councils and their partners are managing the challenges that come with tough economic times, supporting local businesses and ensuring that services are there for the people who need them the most, while still planning for the future

• Inspection revolution: Watchdogs unveil blueprint for new scrutiny of local public services

  11 February 2009

  From 1 April six independent inspectorates - the Audit Commission, Ofsted, the new Care Quality Commission and HM Inspectorates of Probation, Prisons and Constabulary – will be working to gather information and make joint assessments about public services in every area of England. Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) will reflect the new era of public service partnership working, and launches against a backdrop of recession, in which councils and their partners have a newly-defined role to help their local economies recover from the effects of the downturn

• Comprehensive Area Assessment

  15 September 2008

  This is the second joint consultation document from the joint inspectorates setting out a proposed approach to the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). The partner inspectorates are consulting on proposals for the CAA framework to be introduced in April 2009, with first reports published in November 2009
  
  The inspectorates have listened to the feedback from the first joint consultation on CAA, and this has formed the basis for the second. Key changes are the simplification of the main elements into just two, Area Assessments and Organisational Assessments, and the use of the National Indicator Set of 198 core performance indicators
  
  The consultation period will run from 29 July to 20 October 2008. The proposals are being trialled at ten sites across the country to test them in ‘real life’ situations. The arrangements for CAA will then be finalised early in 2009

  Additional files:

  • CAA consultation

  • Press release

• Audit Commission aims for stable and consistent framework as CPA enters its final year

  7 August 2008

  The Audit Commission has announced only minimal change to the framework for the last ever round of Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA). The decision follows consultation with English single-tier councils and county councils which indicated that 92 per cent supported the proposed final update to the Harder Test assessment programme established three years ago

• Comprehensive Performance Assessments: The Harder test Framework for 2008 - Consultation

  8 April 2008

  This consultation seeks views on proposals for the final year of comprehensive performance assessments

  Additional files:

  • Document

 

Inspection reports

Click here to search the inspection reports

 

Tenant Services Authority

• Draft corporate plan 2010-13

  9 February 2010

  Top priorities for next three years outlined by TSA

• Alistair McIntosh's response to TSA regulation proposals

  4 February 2010

  Streamlined consultation and clarity of strategic vision required

• The TSA's proposed governance standard

  3 February 2010

  Network briefing by Steve Wood

• The TSA’s equality and diversity requirements

  1 February 2010

  Network briefing by Joanna Jeffery and Richard Seager

• Social housing regulator outlines plans for cutting £3.5m in running costs

  28 January 2010

  The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) will reduce its budget to £35m – down from £38.5m this year

• The TSA's proposed anti-social behaviour standard

  25 January 2010

  Network briefing by Tim Horsley

• The TSA's proposed value for money standard

  21 January 2010

  Network briefing by Steve Wood

• Plans for national register of social housing tower blocks

  8 January 2010

  The TSA’s national register will hold details on ownership, the number of properties and the age of the tower block. It will also list the date of the last fire risk assessment and the date of the next assessment

• Fundamental review of inspections to support new housing standards

  17 December 2009

  The TSA and the Audit Commission have signalled a fundamental review of the approach to inspections to better target landlords with performance challenges and where tenants may be getting unsatisfactory services from their landlord

• New TSA landlord comparison website shines light on housing association performance

  3 December 2009

  The portal will enable all tenants, by simply entering their postcode, to compare the performance of housing associations in their area

• Performance Indicators 2009

  2 December 2009

  The 2009 PI results for associations, together with a range of additional information and comparative 2008 and 2007 results

• Affordable housing market upturn as banks called on to lend a further £20 billion for new homes

  27 November 2009

  Housing associations will need to borrow more than £20 billion from banks over the next five years to continue to build new homes for those most in need, according to the TSA

• Regulating social housing: the TSA's proposals

  16 November 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray

• A new regulatory framework for social housing in England

  12 November 2009

  This statutory consultation sets out the six standards that social housing providers will have to meet from 1 April 2010

• Directions to the Tenant Services Authority

  11 November 2009

  Summary of responses and government response

• New standards will improve the quality of life for public tenants

  10 November 2009

  Housing Minister John Healey has announced that for the first time all 8 million tenants in public housing will have the right to clear standards of service from their landlord

• Social housing regulator opens board meetings to the public

  9 November 2009

  TSA Chairman Anthony Mayer said open meetings would give the public an opportunity to see how the TSA board operated and discussed key issues of concern to tenants and landlords

• Wide engagement shows stakeholder support for TSA’s proposed standards for landlords

  16 October 2009

  Results now published show there is broad support from key stakeholders for the Tenant Services Authority’s (TSA) proposed regulatory approach and standards for landlords

• Cross-domain regulation

  8 October 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray looks at how the government proposes LAs should be regulated by the TSA

• TSA assurance worth millions of pounds a year

  24 September 2009

  Chief Executive Peter Marsh’s speech explains how better regulation of housing associations has attracted investors and maintained the confidence of both existing and new lenders, meaning more favourable interest rates

• Landlords selected to deliver TSA local standards

  17 September 2009

  Thirty-seven innovative housing projects from across the country which involve the development of local standards between landlords and their tenants to improve services have been selected as local standards pilots by the TSA

• TSA announces removal of Leeds Federated Housing Association from supervision

  15 September 2009

  Press release

• HQN response to the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) consultation papers on governance and viability

  9 September 2009

  Our questions and suggestions are intended to make the proposed standards work well

• Better services to tenants promoted by joint working

  11 August 2009

  The two organisations charged with championing tenants' rights and inspecting housing services have demonstrated their commitment to promoting better services to tenants by signing their first ever memorandum of understanding

• The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Registration of Local Authorities) Order 2009 – Consultation

  11 August 2009

  This consultation sets out the government's proposals on the draft Order to allow the Tenant Services Authority to register and therefore regulate local authority providers of social housing. Consultation closes on 30.10.09

• Council tenants to benefit from increased protection as regulator's remit extended

  11 August 2009

  Council tenants are set to benefit from increased protection under proposals announced to extend the powers of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

• TSA launches discussion papers on governance and viability

  27 July 2009

  Discussion papers outlining possible options for regulating governance and viability have been launched by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) as part of the National Conversation

• BME tenants contribute to TSA draft standards

  21 July 2009

  Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) tenants have been encouraged to have their say about the housing services they receive as part of the National Conversation, the largest consultation to ever be held with social housing tenants in England

• Government focus on tenant empowerment and financial stability of landlords welcomed

  17 July 2009

  The TSA has welcomed the government publishing for consultation its draft ‘directions’ to the TSA covering tenant empowerment, the quality of homes, and future rent levels for housing associations – three of the areas where the TSA is responsible for setting standards for landlords

• Directions to the Tenant Services Authority: Consultation paper

  17 July 2009

  This is a consultation on the draft directions proposed to be given by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to the social housing regulator (the TSA) under section 197 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. Consultation closes 9 October 2009

• Housing association short notice inspection programme

  14 July 2009

  2009/10

• Have your say - TSA invites tenants to host local events on standards for social housing

  14 July 2009

  Social housing tenants up and down the country are being asked to host their own Local Conversation events to help shape the Tenant Services Authority’s (TSA) new standards for social housing landlords in England

• Housing association short notice inspection programme

  14 July 2009

  2008/09

• Guidance following the fire at Lakanal House, Camberwell, London

  9 July 2009

  Following the fire at Lakanal House, Peter Marsh has written a letter to RSLs providing advice to them on practical measures they should take in the light of that fire

• The Tenant Services Authority: the National Conversation – phase one findings

  7 July 2009

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes sets out the key findings and how phase two of the conversation will be conducted

• 27,000 tenants help determine the future of social housing

  9 June 2009

  TSA launches the findings of largest ever consultation and proposals for draft standards

• Audit Commission website

  20 May 2009

  The recent Audit Commission website re-launch has resulted in many of the Audit Commission links on our website no longer linking to the correct documents. We are working to resolve this and in the mean time click on the title of this item to take you to the new Audit Commission website

• Co-regulation: What does the TSA really mean?

  19 May 2009

  Network briefing by Kate Murray finds out from Peter Marsh, Roy Irwin, and chief executives

• TSA looks to a future where all social tenants benefit from a single regulatory regime

  2 April 2009

  All tenants should expect the same high quality services, irrespective of who their landlord is, according to a speech by the Chief Executive of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), Peter Marsh

• TSA calls for housing associations to examine stock to improve services to tenants

  27 February 2009

  Housing associations that streamline the ownership and management arrangements of their homes can improve services to tenants, according to the Tenants Services Authority (TSA)

• Thousands of tenants prove that it is good to talk

  27 February 2009

  Thousands of tenants are proving that it is good to talk by getting their voices heard in the Tenant Services Authority's (TSA) National Conversation - the largest ever consultation with social housing tenants

• Housing association sector set to help affordable housing shortages

  24 February 2009

  Housing associations are well placed to help tackle long-term shortages in affordable housing, according to the latest figures from the TSA. In its quarterly survey of housing associations and their financial positions, the TSA found that while not immune to the current economic downturn, the housing association sector overall is demonstrating resilience and can help meet the unprecedented demand for affordable homes for rent

• Tenant Services Authority in confident message to bond investors

  29 January 2009

  The Tenant Services Authority earlier this week addressed institutional fund managers in the City of London about the new regulator’s role in ensuring the financial position of housing associations and encouraging investment in new homes

• Reminder issued on guideline limit for rent increases

  29 January 2009

  In 2001 the Housing Corporation introduced its rent influencing regime effective from 1 April 2002, and on 1 December 2008 the regime was inherited by the Tenant Services Authority. One aspect of the rent influencing regime is a guideline limit for rent increases

• Safe harbour in rocky seas – Social housing watchdog says investment in affordable homes for rent protected

  27 January 2009

  The Chief Executive of the Tenant Services Authority has told property professionals that ensuring the financial position of housing associations, encouraging the supply of new homes and promoting choice in affordable housing were top of the agenda for the new social housing regulator

• Communities in Control: Real people, real power - Government response to the improving local accountability consultation

  27 January 2009

  A summary of responses to the improving local accountability consultation and the government's response to the consultation

• Pink camper van kick starts largest ever tenant consultation

  23 January 2009

  The Tenant Services Authority's (TSA) roaming van, complete with film crew, has made its first stop as part of the TSA's National Conversation tour of England

• Trailblazer event kick-starts National Conversation

  14 January 2009

  Trailblazers from across the country have been recruited to support the delivery of the local conversations which will form part of the TSA’s National Conversation with tenants

• Citizens of Equal Worth: putting tenants at the heart of government

  30 December 2008

  Network briefing by Nigel Long summarises the now publicised recommendations of the NTV project group

• Tenant Services Authority letter to Housing Associations

  11 December 2008

  Tenant Services Authority letter to Housing Associations assesses current threats and advises on responses

• Delivery team for Tenant Services Authority’s National Conversation announced

  11 December 2008

  HQN and the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), who provide a range of membership services to clients in the housing sector, have formed a partnership to deliver a comprehensive events programme. This will include both tenant-led and TSA-led events for tenants, prospective tenants, landlords and providers

• The Tenant Services Authority National Conversation - A joint briefing by HQN and the Northern Housing Consortium

  11 December 2008

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes sets out what we know so far and explains why providers from all parts of the sector should get involved

• Stop press - Delivery team for Tenant Services Authority’s National Conversation announced

  10 December 2008

  HQN and the Northern Housing Consortium (NHC), who provide a range of membership services to clients in the housing sector, have formed a partnership to deliver a comprehensive events programme. This will include both tenant-led and TSA-led events for tenants, prospective tenants, landlords and providers

• Drive for affordable homes and improved rights for tenants steps up a gear

  2 December 2008

  The drive to deliver much needed affordable homes and safeguard higher housing standards for eight million social housing tenants has taken a massive step forward, as the new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Tenant Services Authority (TSA) are officially launched by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett

• The regulatory and financial map of the affordable housing market

  28 November 2008

  Network briefing by Charlie Hughes looks at regulation and funding and also includes both public and private players as we are increasingly operating in a mixed economy

• TSA - catalyst for change to improve the lives of ten million people

  21 November 2008

  The TSA will be a catalyst for change to improve the lives of ten million people. That was the key message from TSA Chief Executive Peter Marsh in a speech to delegates at the Northern Housing Summit in York

• TSA writes to housing associations and local authorities

  14 November 2008

  Peter Marsh, CEO Designate of the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) has written to Chief Executives of local authorities and housing associations throughout England, to introduce the social housing regulator in advance of the launch of the new body at the beginning of December 2008

• Boards are key to self regulation, says TSA Chairman

  14 November 2008

  Boards are key to self regulation, was the message from the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) Chairman, Anthony Mayer, at the Chartered Institute of Housing's Annual Conference, Eastern Region

• Tenant Services Authority Change-Makers Announced

  6 November 2008

  Tenant Services Authority (TSA) CEO Peter Marsh has announced the new TSA leadership team who will be tasked with changing the landscape of affordable housing in England

• TSA - Chairman and CEO of new housing regulator pledge to champion what tenants want

  28 October 2008

  The new team in charge of the affordable housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), have told MPs they will use new powers to drive up the quality of services provided by social landlords and make sure tenants have a say in how their estates are run following the TSA’s launch at the beginning of December

• Tenants to get a stronger voice at national level

  20 October 2008

  Board members for the Tenant Services Authority and Homes and Communities Agency have now been announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright

• TSA - new agency to include Local Authorities and ALMOs from launch

  16 October 2008

  The Tenant Services Authority, the new social housing regulator centred on the needs and aspirations of tenants, will consult with Local Authority and ALMO tenants and landlords right from its December launch about its new regulation framework

• TSA news release

  18 September 2008

  The new chairman of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), has delivered a firm message to housing associations when he said that the social housing sector had 'fallen off the pace'

• Tenant Services Authority (TSA) gets ready for action

  23 July 2008

  The new social housing regulator – the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) – is now ready for action with the news that Royal Assent has been granted on the Housing and Regeneration Bill in Parliament

• Drive for affordable homes and the rights of tenants move forward

  30 June 2008

  The government's drive to deliver much needed new affordable homes and safeguard higher housing standards for eight million social housing tenants has taken another step forward as Housing Minister, Caroline Flint has announced the successful recruitment of two top positions at the agencies charged with achieving these goals

• Housing and Regeneration Bill update - The Social Housing Regulator

  20 June 2008

  Network briefing by Gwyneth Taylor explores the emerging implications of the Bill for the housing sector

• Tenants invited to get involved in the boardroom

  9 June 2008

  Housing Minister Caroline Flint announced that tenants will have the opportunity to reward good practice and take action against poor social landlords as she launched the recruitment for the board of the new social housing regulator, the Tenant Services Authority

• Continuous Recording of Lettings and Sales (CORE) log reviews 2008 announced

  27 May 2008

  The Housing Corporation has announced the annual review of the data collected through its CORE system as it moves towards the creation of the new social regulator OFTENANT and the Homes and Communities Agency

• First Chair of the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords announced

  14 May 2008

  Anthony Mayer will be the first Chair of the new social housing regulator, the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords (Oftenant), announced Housing Minister Caroline Flint

• Stakeholder letter from Kate Barker about OFTENANT

  1 April 2008

  An update for stakeholders on the transition process to the new housing regulator