Our approach to social housing regulation is built around ‘co-regulation’. By that, we mean that we expect robust self-regulation by the boards and councillors who govern the delivery of housing services. This should incorporate effective tenant involvement and be subject to a ‘backbone’ of regulation by the TSA.

There are ten principles that define our approach to co-regulation:

1. Our national standards are based on clear criteria

2. They are clear, they focus on outcomes and they avoid prescribing detailed processes

3. Providers should agree local service standards with their tenants

4. Providers should respond to the needs of their tenants and demonstrate how they have taken into account the needs of the diverse range of tenants

5. Promote transparency by enabling tenants, landlords and councils to assess performance of providers in their area

6. Good governance is a universal principle and is essential to the quality of service delivery, financial robustness and value for money

7. Independent validation, audit and benchmarking of performance to encourage providers to improve continually and free the best from unnecessary red tape

8. The focus of our resources in 2010-11 will be on identifying and addressing the worst performing providers

9. Where problems are identified, the provider will usually be offered an opportunity for speedy self-improvement

10. Registration criteria should encourage new landlords into the social housing sector