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RSLs to Disappear!

Published: 1st February 2010

Don't panic it is just the description "RSL"

I am sure there are many of us who have only just got used to the term Registered Social Landlord. As from 1st April 2010 forget that as well and get used to using "Registered Providers of Social Housing". It is a shame as "RPSH" does not roll off the tongue quite so easily.

On 20 January 2010, the following draft orders bringing into force provisions of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (2008 Act) were laid before Parliament:

  • The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010.

This draft Order amends and repeals various pieces of legislation that refer to registered social landlords (RSLs) and the Housing Corporation. Following the Order, RSLs will be known as "Registered Providers of Social Housing" allowing profit-making bodies as well as non-profit making bodies to register with the Tenant Services Authority (TSA), and the Housing Corporation's functions will be taken over by the TSA as set out in Parts 1 and 2 of the 2008 Act.

The Order also contains transitional and saving provisions to ensure that anything done by RSLs before the commencement date of the Order remains valid and anything in the process of being done by an RSL can be continued.

The Order is expected to come into force on 1 April 2010.

  • The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Registration of Local Authorities) Order 2010.

This draft Order makes it compulsory for local authority providers of social housing to register with the TSA. The Order ensures that local authorities are regulated under the same regime as other social housing providers (that is, private registered providers) in line with the Cave Review's recommendation of the creation of a single social housing regulator.

Articles 3 to 6 of, and Schedules 1 and 2 of the Order come into force on 1 April 2010 (provisions dealing with the requirement to register) and the remaining provisions come into force the day after the Order is made (transitional provisions).

If this raises any issues for your organisation please contact Sheila Whitton, Head of Social Housing on 0161 214 0532.