MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Housing and Local Government: Ensuring that the social housing
sector in Wales remains strong, transparent, and accountable is
essential to delivering safe, secure homes for the people who
rely on them. Robust regulation is central to this, and it is
vital that organisations seeking to become Registered Social
Landlords (RSLs) meet clear, consistent standards from the very
beginning.
Following a recent consultation, I am publishing the
new Criteria for Registration
for RSLs in Wales, along with the supporting documentation
requirements. These criteria set out what applicants must
demonstrate to be considered for registration. They are designed
not as a barrier, but as a safeguard, ensuring that new entrants
to the sector have the skills, capacity, and financial strength
needed to deliver high‑quality services and protect public
investment.
A transparent, fair, and consistent application process is
essential. The new Registration Criteria provide this clarity.
They create a level playing field for all applicants and ensure
that decisions on registration are grounded in evidence, not
assumptions. Strong regulation is about more than compliance, it
is about building confidence, supporting best practice, and
securing long‑term resilience across the sector.
The process for registering an RSL in Wales has two key stages.
First, applicants must demonstrate they meet statutory
eligibility requirements. They are then assessed against wider
criteria, including governance, management arrangements, and
financial viability. Applicants may provide additional
information where needed, and a final recommendation is made
based on the totality of this evidence.
These measures are not simply procedural; they are an important
step in ensuring that every organisation entrusted with
delivering social housing in Wales is capable, well‑governed, and
able to manage risks effectively. Our focus is on preventing
failures before they occur and ensuring that new RSLs are
equipped to serve communities with professionalism, stability,
and care.
Once registered, RSLs are subject to ongoing oversight in line
with the Regulatory Framework.
This continued scrutiny is essential to protecting tenants and
maintaining trust. Our responsibility is to ensure that all RSLs,
existing and prospective, operate to high standards of governance
and financial management, and these new criteria reinforce that
commitment.
