NON COMPLIANTS HOUSING PROVIDERS

■ Ian MacGregor, chief executive of Sustain UK Ltd, which has over 2,000 ‘exempt’ residents in Birmingham, said the firm was close to meeting the regulatory standards set down by the watchdog after intensive work.

He also said it had just achieved a new silver Quality Standard award from the City Council and Birmingham Voluntary Services Council after recent inspections of its properties and support.

“Sustain would like to add its voice to that of the Government Select Committee in condemning those unscrupulous or even criminal housing providers that take advantage of both the vulnerable and the benefits system for profit.”

■ David Fensome, chief executive of Concept Housing Association, also praised the recent report and welcomed its recommendations, saying his firm was working through an action plan to improve. “We see ourselves as part of the solution,” he added.

■ Reliance Social Housing CIC operates 8,000 rooms for rent and is the biggest provider in the city. A regulatory notice last July ruled it did not meet basic governance and financial standards. Reliance chose not to respond to this article.

■ Ash Shahada Housing Association operates 3,250 rooms. The Regulator found the company “failed to manage its affairs with an appropriate degree of skill, independence, diligence, effectiveness, prudence and foresight” and “failed to ensure that any arrangements it has entered into do not inappropriately advance the interests of third parties. The company did not respond to our request for comment.

■ 3CHA operates 700-plus units. It was found to be non compliant with governance and financial viability standards, with the Regulator adding: “It is the Regulator’s judgement that 3CHA does not adequately reconcile the payments made to third parties with evidence that the services are being provided to its tenants.”

A spokesperson said: “Please note that our dialogue with RSH relates solely to internal procedural improvements and has nothing whatsoever to do with services, standards or financial transactions.

“We are aware of public disquiet on all of those matters, but we are emphatically not the subject of any such expressions of concern, nor have we ever been. We remain dedicated to housing the homeless and to upholding standards in carrying out this task.”