Consumer upgrades for two housing associations
The Regulator of Social Housing has published regulatory judgements for four housing associations including two consumer upgrades.
Two housing associations received C1 consumer upgrades in regulatory judgements published by the Regulator of Social Housing today.
Livin Housing Limited and Community Gateway Association Limited were both upgraded from C2 to C1
RSH found that Livin, which is based in County Durham, had strengthened its understanding of the condition of its homes since its inspection in November 2024.
The housing association has improved how it monitors the condition of its homes and uses that information to plan future repairs and investment. Livin also demonstrated that it works more effectively with residents to maintain safe, good quality homes.
Community Gateway, based in Preston, Lancashire, demonstrated it had strengthened its health and safety management since its inspection in July 2025.
It had also improved governance and accountability, demonstrating that its repairs and maintenance services are working well. It was also communicating better with tenants and had increased understanding of their diverse needs.
Kate Dodsworth, Deputy Chief Executive at RSH, said: “Landlords that achieve a C1 grading show they are putting tenants at the heart of their services, maintaining safe and decent homes, and responding effectively when issues arise.
“We expect landlords to use good quality information and strong governance to drive improvements, support thriving communities, and help meet housing need through the delivery of more and better social homes.”
Both Livin and Community Gateway have unchanged G1 governance and V1 financial viability grades based on previous assessments.
Amplius Living has received gradings of C2, G1 and V2 today, following inspection. The housing association, based in Milton Keynes was formed following the merger of Longhurst Group Limited and Grand Union Housing Group Limited in December 2024.
Amplius showed RSH it has appropriate systems in place to ensure the health and safety of its tenants and a good understanding of compliance requirements.
However, there was evidence of weaknesses in the provision of an effective, efficient and timely repairs service, with complaints and customer feedback showing issues around service quality and communication. Amplius also experienced challenges in meeting the increased legal requirements for tackling damp and mould following the introduction of Awaab’s Law.
Amplius is addressing the issues, but RSH said it would need to evidence continued and consistent improvement to demonstrate the required outcomes for tenants on an ongoing basis.
Hertfordshire-based Watford Community Housing Trust received an interim judgement today, confirming a G1 governance grade and a V2 financial viability grade.
RSH issued the interim judgement because Watford Community Housing (trading as Chime Housing) merged with Thrive Homes in June 2026. RSH has not yet assessed the merged entity against the consumer standards.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The full list of judgements published today is provided in the table below.
| Landlord | Consumer grade | Governance Grade | Viability Grade | Engagement Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amplius Living | C2 (first grading) | G1 (assessed and unchanged) | V2 (assessed and unchanged) | Responsive engagement |
| Community Gateway Association Limited | C1 (upgrade) | G1 (based on previous assessment) | V1 (based on previous assessment) | Responsive engagement |
| Livin Housing Limited | C1 (upgrade) | G1 (based on previous assessment) | V1 (based on previous assessment) | Responsive engagement |
| Watford Community Housing | Not yet assessed | G1 | V2 | Interim judgement |
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On 1 April 2024 RSH introduced revised consumer standards for social housing landlords, designed to drive long-term improvements in the sector. It also began a programme of landlord inspections. The changes are a result of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 and include stronger powers to hold landlords to account. More information about RSH’s approach is available in its document Reshaping Consumer Regulation.
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More information about RSH’s responsive engagement, programmed inspections and consumer gradings is also available on its website.
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RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.
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RSH publishes gradings for consumer, governance and viability. Local authorities only receive consumer gradings. More information can be found on our How we approach regulatory judgements and gradings page.
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We do not issue grades to small landlords (under 1,000 homes) and only publish or update regulatory judgements where we consider there to be serious weaknesses or failings in a landlord’s delivery of the outcomes of our standards.
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For media enquiries please contact vicky.moore@rsh.gov.uk or christian.cosby@rsh.gov.uk. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk