News story

RSH publishes regulatory notice for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust

RSH has concluded that Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust has breached the rent standard

From:
Regulator of Social Housing
Published
25 October 2023

In a regulatory notice published today (Wednesday 25 October 2023), the Regulator of Social Housing concluded that Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust has breached the rent standard.

JRHT found it had wrongly classified some of its homes as supported housing and the tenants of these homes were overcharged. As part of its detailed follow-on investigations the provider discovered it had previously set rents incorrectly for hundreds of ‘fair rent’ tenancies.

JRHT self-referred to RSH, and is working alongside external advisors to resolve these issues. As part of this work, it is carrying out a detailed review of rent setting across all of the homes it provides. JRHT will identify and reimburse the tenants who have been overcharged and ensure its rent policies comply with requirements.

Karen Doran, Director of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said:

Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s failure to set rents correctly has led to tenants being overcharged. It is now working with us to make sure it charges rents correctly and puts things right for the tenants who have been affected.

Notes to editors

  1. RSH’s regulatory standards, including the rent standard, are available on its website.

  2. RSH 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.

  3. More information about how RSH regulates against its standards is available in Regulating the Standards.

  4. For press office contact details, see our Media enquiries page. For general queries, please email enquiries@rsh.gov.uk or call 0300 124 5225.

Published 25 October 2023