RSH publishes annual social housing stocks and rents statistics
RSH collects data from registered providers through its Statistical Data Return and Local Authority Data Return to support its regulation of the sector.
Today the Regulator of Social Housing published statistics about the social housing sector, including stock ownership and rents as of 31 March 2026.
Returns from all private and local authority registered providers show that the sector provides around 4.6 million homes across England, with a net increase of around 36,000 social homes since 2025.
This overall rise has been driven by an increase of over 24,000 in Affordable Rent homes and 13,390 increase in low-cost home ownership homes. However, there was also a decrease of just over 1,700 social rent homes.
Private registered providers had a net gain of 7,829 social rent homes. Local authorities saw a decrease of 9,570 social rent homes (likely to be primarily driven by right to buy sales and other schemes). Private registered providers built, purchased or acquired the majority of new homes in the sector, accounting for 88% of the total increase in Affordable Rent and 97% for low-cost home ownership properties.
The statistics show that 82% of social homes in England are general needs (social rent and Affordable Rent), while supported housing makes up 11% and low-cost home ownership 6%.
London has the greatest proportion of registered provider owned homes with 19.4% of all social homes in this area, while the North East has the fewest – accounting for only 5.4% of the overall total.
Birmingham is the local authority area with the largest volume of social housing at just over 107,000 homes.
The average increase in general needs (social rent) average weekly net rents was 3.2% between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 (in line with the limit set for 2025/26).
The average weekly general needs (social rent) weekly rent in England for private registered providers was £121.72, though this varied across the country. Average rents were lowest in the North East (£100.31) and highest in London (£154.73).
Rents for local authorities are lower on average than for private registered providers.
Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, said:
“This analysis provides a vital picture of the sector’s resilience and the challenges it continues to face. It helps ensure social landlords can plan effectively, manage risks and make informed decisions that support safe, decent homes for current and future tenants.
“It is encouraging to see providers investing in both new homes and a better understanding of their existing stock. Good quality data is essential to making the right strategic decisions for residents and the long-term health of organisations.”
Ends
Notes to editors
- Total social housing stock includes general needs social rent, general needs Affordable Rent, social rent supported housing, Affordable Rent social housing, and low-cost home ownership.
- Local authority social housing data was formerly collected through the Local Authority Housing Survey. Since 1 April 2020 it has been collected by RSH through the Local Authority Data Return, when RSH took on the responsibility for regulating local authority rents. Private registered provider data has been collected by RSH though the Statistical Data Return since 2012.
- Both local authority and private registered provider stock and rents statistics are designated as Accredited Official Statistics by the UK Statistics Authority.
- There were 1,580 providers on RSH’s register on 31 March 2026. Of these, 230 were local authorities and 1,350 were private registered providers.
- Homes include self-contained units such as houses and flats and non-self-contained bed spaces, referred to collectively as units in the data.
- Of the 4.6 million units of social housing stock owner by registered providers, private registered providers own 3m homes while local authority registered providers own 1.6m homes.
- The limit on annual general needs rent increases between 2025 and 2026 was 2.7%. Additions to stock, units with exceptions and PRPs setting set rents in line with the prevailing formula rent rate when re-letting units can lead to the average year-on-year change being higher than might otherwise be expected.
- The Regulator of Social Housing promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver and maintain homes of appropriate quality that meet a range of needs. It does this by undertaking robust economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action if these standards are breached and there is a significant risk of serious detriment to tenants or potential tenants.
- For media enquiries email vicky.moore@rsh.gov.uk or christian.cosby@rsh.gov.uk. For general enquiries email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk.