Register with the Scottish Housing Regulator: a guide for new social landlords

In Scotland, a housing association or other not-for-profit body that provides social housing registers with the Scottish Housing Regulator. The Regulator is independent and was set up by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010. Once you are registered you are a registered social landlord (RSL), and the Regulator reports on how you perform against the Scottish Social Housing Charter.

England has a separate regulator, the Regulator of Social Housing, and its registration rules do not apply to Scottish landlords.

Is this for you?

• Yes: a body that does not trade for profit and exists to provide, build, improve or manage houses for letting, houses for member occupation or hostels in Scotland.
• No: a council that provides housing services, which is not entered on the register.
• A private landlord letting homes for profit: you register as a landlord with your local council instead. See the landlord guides.

The registration and ongoing duties

A first-year plan

1. Before you apply: read the Regulatory Framework, confirm your constitution meets the requirements and contact the Regulator early.
2. On application: submit the registration form and all supporting documents together.
3. After registration: submit the Annual Return on the Charter every year, diarise the Annual Assurance Statement (you submit it between April and the end of October each year) and make it available to your tenants.
4. All year: report notifiable events promptly, keep your governing body meeting its duties under the seven standards and keep tenants involved in scrutinising your performance.