Today the Regulator of Social Housing published statistics about the
social housing sector, including stock ownership and rents as of
31 March 2024.
Returns from all private and local authority registered providers
show that the sector provides around 4.5 million homes across
England, with a net increase of nearly 43,000 social homes since
2023.
This overall increase has been driven by approximately 24,800
more Affordable Rent homes and 17,300 more low cost home
ownership homes. There was also a small increase of roughly 700
social rent homes.
Private registered providers had a net gain of around 5,200
social rent homes, although this was partially offset by a
decrease of around 4,500 social rent homes for local authorities
(likely to be 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 85% of the
total increase in Affordable Rent and 96% 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%.
Private registered providers also reported that 71% of homes had
an energy efficiency certificate rating of EPC-C or above, and a
further 22% had a rating of EPC-D.
Just over 511,000 homes were surveyed by landlords during the
year. Over the year, these surveys and other provider activity
identified nearly 42,000 homes which did not meet the Decent
Homes Standard; 37,500 properties were remediated to bring them
up to the DHS and 1,800 were sold or demolished.
A further 5,200 buildings were excluded from having to meet DHS
requirements due to circumstances which prevent or limit
remediation works.
As expected, rents increased over the year. The average increase
in general needs (social rent) average weekly net rents was 7.2%
between 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024 (in line with the limit
set for 2023/24 ). The average weekly general needs rent in
England was £105.22, though this varied across the country.
Average rents were lowest in the North East (£88.11) and highest
in London (£129.83).
Rents for local authorities are lower on average than for housing
associations.
Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, said:
It is reassuring to see the sector continuing to build and
acquire much-needed new social homes across the country, despite
a challenging economic environment.
This data provides a rich source of insight into the sector as a
whole, helping us understand the challenges facing both landlords
and tenants.
Landlords should ensure they hold accurate, up-to-date data to
inform strategic decisions, especially around rents and the
condition of homes.
Notes to editors
-
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.
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There were 1,592 providers on RSH's register on 31
March 2024. Of these, 226 were local authorities and 1,366
were private registered providers.
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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 c. 4.5 million units of social housing stock owner by
registered providers, private registered providers own 2.9m
homes while local authority registered providers own 1.6m
homes.
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The limit on annual general needs rent increases between 2023
and 2024 was 7.0%. 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.
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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.
