Decision

Tuntum Housing Association Limited (L3808) - Regulatory Judgement: 28 October 2026

Updated 28 October 2026

Applies to England

Our Judgement

	Grade/Judgement	Change	Date of assessment
Consumer	C1 Our judgement is that overall the landlord is delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards. The landlord has demonstrated that it identifies when issues occur and puts plans in place to remedy and minimise recurrence.	Upgrade	October 2026
Governance	G1 Our judgement is that the landlord meets our governance requirements.	Based on previous assessment	June 2025
Viability	V2 Our judgement is that the landlord meets our viability requirements. It has the financial capacity to deal with a reasonable range of adverse scenarios but needs to manage material risks to ensure continued compliance.	Assessed and unchanged	October 2026

Reason for publication

We are publishing a regulatory judgement for Tuntum Housing Association Limited (Tuntum) following a stability check and responsive engagement completed in October 2026.

This regulatory judgement confirms a consumer upgrade to C1, a governance grade of G1 and a financial viability grade of V2.

Prior to this regulatory judgement, Tuntum’s consumer, governance and financial viability grades were last updated in June 2025 following an inspection, which confirmed grades of C2, G1 and V2.

Previously, our stability check process included an assessment of whether there was evidence to indicate that a change in a landlord’s governance grade was required. The stability check process now no longer includes that assessment.

Summary of the decision

Following completion of the inspection in June 2025, our subsequent responsive engagement with Tuntum has focused on the delivery of its improvement plan.

From the assurance gained during our responsive engagement and based on the evidence provided by Tuntum, we have concluded that overall Tuntum is delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards.

Tuntum has made planned improvements to its repairs and maintenance services, addressed a shortfall in physical surveys of its homes, strengthened the controls supporting landlord compliance, and improved the consistency of complaints handling. Based on this assessment we have concluded a C1 upgrade for Tuntum.

Our judgement is that Tuntum meets our governance requirements. Based on our previous assessment, Tuntum’s governance grade remains G1.

From the stability check, our judgement is that Tuntum meets our financial viability requirements and has the financial capacity to deal with a reasonable range of adverse scenarios. However, it needs to manage material risks to ensure continued compliance. Based on this assessment we have concluded a financial viability grade of V2 for Tuntum.

How we reached our judgement

Prior to this regulatory judgement, Tuntum’s consumer, governance and financial viability grades were C2, G1, and V2. These grades were published in June 2025 following an inspection.

During the inspection, we considered all four of the consumer standards: the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, the Safety and Quality Standard, the Tenancy Standard, and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. We observed a board meeting, held meetings with Tuntum, including with its non-executive directors, met with engaged tenants, and reviewed a wide range of documents provided by Tuntum.

The inspection identified weaknesses in Tuntum’s delivery of the outcomes of the consumer standards, particularly in relation to the Safety and Quality Standard. Following the inspection, we carried out responsive engagement to seek assurance that Tuntum was addressing the identified weaknesses in a timely and effective way. This included discussions with Tuntum and review of evidence about the improvements it had made, including improvements to its understanding of the condition of its homes and the impact on outcomes for tenants.

Our governance judgement remains based on the inspection completed in June 2025, together with our ongoing analysis of information supplied by Tuntum through its regulatory returns and other regulatory activity. The 2026 stability check did not include an assessment of Tuntum’s governance.

Our consumer judgement is based on the evidence obtained through the June 2025 inspection and our subsequent responsive engagement.

We have also carried out a stability check of Tuntum as part of our annual stability check programme. The stability check focused on Tuntum’s delivery of the viability outcomes of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard. Our viability judgement is based on our review of a range of information provided by Tuntum, including its business plan and supporting financial information, as well as information supplied by Tuntum through its regulatory returns.

Summary of findings

Consumer – C1 – October 2026

During the inspection completed in June 2025, we found weaknesses in the information that Tuntum holds in relation to the condition of its homes. At the time of the inspection, its programme for physical surveys about the condition of its homes and electrical installation condition reports were incomplete. There was also evidence of outstanding fire safety remediation works to be completed. Tuntum had implemented an action plan to deliver improvements in its understanding of the condition of its homes which we monitored during our subsequent responsive engagement.

Through our responsive engagement, we gained evidence-based assurance that Tuntum has an accurate record of the condition of its homes at an individual home level through physical surveys. Tuntum sought specialist external assurance on the accuracy and completeness of the data it holds and has a risk-based plan in place for keeping this information up to date.

We have seen evidence that Tuntum has strengthened its assurance over landlord health and safety. It has cleared a previous backlog of remedial fire and electrical safety actions. Improved reporting arrangements are now in place to consolidate and monitor ongoing performance of building safety and asset management, strengthening management and oversight of its repairs service. Tuntum has improved the performance of its planned repairs, maintenance and improvement service, and has enhanced the monitoring in place to facilitate the effective management of this service.

At the time of the inspection, Tuntum had identified weaknesses in how it handled complaints and was taking steps to improve outcomes for tenants. The complaints service has now been strengthened through additional staffing and wider staff training to ensure a more consistent level of service. Learning from complaints is used to identify recurring themes and opportunities for service improvements. Tuntum is continuing to seek feedback from customers on their experience of using the complaints service and we have seen evidence of improvements to its complaints response times.

Based on the assurance gained through our responsive engagement, we have concluded that overall Tuntum is delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards. Tuntum has demonstrated that it identifies when issues occur and puts plans in place to remedy them and minimise recurrence. Based on this assessment, we have concluded a C1 upgrade for Tuntum.

The June 2025 inspection also provided assurance in other areas of Tuntum’s delivery of the consumer standards. Our view in relation to those areas remains unchanged.

In relation to the Safety and Quality Standard, we saw evidence that Tuntum has appropriate systems in place to ensure the health and safety of its tenants in their homes and associated communal areas. Tuntum demonstrated a good understanding of its compliance position with landlord health and safety requirements. Its performance information demonstrated a good level of compliance with legal obligations. Where required, there are mitigations and improvement plans in place. Tuntum has evidenced progress in monitoring how its homes comply with health and safety requirements, including using lessons learned exercises to improve its processes and assurance.

Tuntum maintains an accurate and up-to-date record of its homes through physical surveys at an individual property level and has processes in place to keep this information up to date. There is evidence of controls and processes in place that ensure its tenants are safe in their homes.

We have assurance that Tuntum has an accessible repairs, maintenance and planned improvements service, and that the service takes account of the needs of its tenants and that vulnerabilities are considered. We have seen evidence that Tuntum makes use of the information from tenant complaints to inform delivery of its repairs service.

In relation to the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard, we saw evidence that Tuntum treats tenants with fairness and respect. Action is taken to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for tenants, and it takes their diverse needs into account in its decision making and provides information about landlord services. We saw evidence that Tuntum’s complaints process is simple, accessible and publicised to tenants. Complaints are addressed fairly, effectively and promptly, and its performance in this area is monitored by the board.

Tuntum provides a reasonable range of opportunities for tenants to influence and scrutinise its performance. We saw evidence that it has arrangements in place to seek the views of tenants and enables them to provide scrutiny. The board engages with this information in a variety of ways, and we saw evidence of how resulting improvements are communicated back to tenants. Tuntum plans to further develop its approach to tenant engagement to ensure its arrangements continue to be effective and strengthen outcomes.

In relation to the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, we gained assurance that Tuntum is working in partnership with relevant organisations to deter and tackle anti-social behaviour and hate incidents in the neighbourhoods where it provides social housing. Tuntum has demonstrated a commitment to the continuous gathering of and learning from feedback to improve outcomes in this area.

 In relation to the Tenancy Standard, we saw evidence that Tuntum has arrangements in place to let its homes in a fair and transparent way that reflects the needs of tenants. We saw evidence that Tuntum has considered the diverse needs of its tenants in the delivery of a range of tenancy sustainment services, and we have assurance that performance in this area is monitored with an appropriate level of oversight.

Governance – G1 – June 2025

Below are the findings of our most recent regulatory judgement about Tuntum’s delivery of our governance requirements, which assessed Tuntum’s governance grade as G1. The regulatory judgement was issued in June 2025 following an inspection.

We have assurance that Tuntum’s governance arrangements enable it to effectively manage its risk and adequately control the organisation, allowing it to deliver its objectives. Its board has a clear corporate strategy, business plan and associated strategies, that focus on tenants and their homes. These are regularly reviewed by Tuntum’s board, its tenants, and where appropriate by relevant third-party expertise.

Arrangements for reporting on and scrutinising strategic delivery, oversight of financial risks, and building safety are in place. There is evidence that Tuntum assures itself that its services deliver value for money, and this includes evidence of structured service reviews.

An appropriate risk management and control framework that is aligned with the activities of the organisation and its strategic risks is in place. Tuntum’s board regularly seeks and gains assurance across a range of risk areas. We saw evidence that its board challenges the quality of assurance and actively seeks assurance that Tuntum is performing in line with its risk appetite.

Tuntum has provided assurance that it has established clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities within its leadership and governance structure. There is evidence that the relationship between the board and committees is working in line with its delegations. Board members’ skills, experience and knowledge are aligned to the activities of the organisation and there is a structured approach to developing and appraising skills and succession planning. The effectiveness of its governance has been reviewed by an independent third party, and Tuntum reviews compliance with the National Housing Federation Code of Governance on an annual basis.

Tuntum provided evidence that its governance arrangements give oversight and control of financial and operational business planning and decision making. Its board has a clear understanding of the challenges and risks facing the organisation and the sector. Tuntum has demonstrated a robust approach to stress testing that is aligned with its strategic risks. Board ownership of stress testing, mitigation strategies and wider governance over risks is evidenced, with reporting providing sufficient detail for the board to ensure effective oversight. During the inspection process, Tuntum’s board evidenced awareness of the areas Tuntum needs to improve to fully deliver the outcomes required by the consumer standards, and that it was taking action to address the matters identified. We have seen evidence that Tuntum’s board has overseen improvements regarding the quality of reporting.

Viability – V2 – October 2026

Based on evidence gained through the stability check in October 2026, we have assurance that Tuntum’s financial plans are consistent with and support its financial strategy. Tuntum has an adequately funded business plan, forecasts to be compliant with its financial covenants and has access to sufficient security to support its future plans. Tuntum’s board has oversight of its financial lender covenant compliance.

Tuntum continues to meet our viability requirements but needs to carefully manage material financial exposures and risks to ensure continued compliance. Tuntum’s recent financial performance indicates it has delivered a sustainable financial position through a period of economic uncertainty. However, financial headroom on Tuntum’s financial covenants is forecast to be restrictive, as it continues to make significant investment in its current homes and develop new homes. Close management of its financial performance and position is required to ensure it remains financially viable.

Background to the judgement

About the landlord

Tuntum is a black and minority ethnic founded housing association, based in Nottingham and operates across the East Midlands. According to the 2026 statistical data return it owns and manages around 1,600 homes.

At 31 March 2026, Tuntum employed 58 staff members on a full-time equivalent basis and reported a turnover of £13m. Over the next five years, it aims to develop 90 affordable homes.

Our role and regulatory approach

We regulate for a viable, efficient, and well governed social housing sector able to deliver quality homes and services for current and future tenants.  

We regulate at the landlord level to drive improvement in how landlords operate. By landlord we mean a registered provider of social housing. These can either be local authorities, or private registered providers (other organisations registered with us such as non-profit housing associations, co-operatives, or profit-making organisations). 

We set standards which state outcomes that landlords must deliver. The outcomes of our standards include both the required outcomes and specific expectations we set. Where we find there are significant failures in landlords which we consider to be material to the landlord’s delivery of those outcomes, we hold them to account. Ultimately this provides protection for tenants’ homes and services and achieves better outcomes for current and future tenants. It also contributes to a sustainable sector which can attract strong investment. 

We have a different role for regulating local authorities than for other landlords. This is because we have a narrower role for local authorities and the Governance and Financial Viability Standard, and Value for Money Standard do not apply. Further detail on which standards apply to different landlords can be found on our standards page. 

We assess the performance of landlords through inspections and by reviewing data that landlords are required to submit to us. In Depth Assessments (IDAs) were one of our previous assessment processes, which are now replaced by our inspections programme from 1 April 2024. We also respond where there is an issue or a potential issue that may be material to a landlord’s delivery of the outcomes of our standards. We publish regulatory judgements that describe our view of landlords’ performance with our standards. We also publish grades for landlords with more than 1,000 social housing homes. 

The Housing Ombudsman deals with individual complaints. When individual complaints are referred to us, we investigate if we consider that the issue may be material to a landlord’s delivery of the outcomes of our standards.  

For more information about our approach to regulation, please see Regulating the Standards.

Further information

• Regulating the standards
• Regulatory standards for landlords

Related documents

• Decent Homes Standard