The Scottish Housing Regulator today published a report on the outcome of its statutory intervention to protect tenants’ interests at Antonine Housing Association.
The report explains why the Regulator intervened and sets out the improvements the Association’s management committee made.
The Regulator appointed a manager and seven members to the Association’s management committee in August 2016. It took this action when an independent investigation found that the management committee was not constituted in accordance with its rules and Antonine requested the Regulator’s support. Further investigations identified other substantial governance and financial management failures and weaknesses in the Association, including non-compliance with the Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management.
The Regulator ended its statutory intervention in October 2018 when Antonine transferred its homes to Caledonia Housing Association after the Association decided this was the best way to deliver tenants’ priorities in the future.
Ian Brennan, Director of Regulation at the Regulator, said:
“Antonine’s management committee was unable to make decisions because it was not properly constituted and this was a serious risk to its tenants. Appointing people to support Antonine was the quickest and most effective way for us to protect the interests of its tenants and service users.
Antonine’s management committee worked openly and constructively with the statutory appointees and interim director to address the issues, and made the decision to transfer its homes to another landlord in the best interests of tenants.”
Patrick McGrath, statutory appointee to Antonine’s management committee, said:
“Regulatory intervention protected the interests of Antonine’s tenants during a difficult few years. Whilst initially this intervention was intended to address governance weaknesses, it quickly became obvious that the scale of the investment needed to deliver modern warm homes for tenants at an affordable rent was better delivered by joining with Caledonia. The merit of this proposal was tested in a ballot, and the overwhelming support from Antonine’s tenants was proof of its value. Despite the difficulties, this was a positive outcome for tenants and was made possible by the work of the appointees, the existing tenant committee members, the staff at Antonine and the Statutory Manager and Interim Director”.
Read our report on our intervention at Antonine Housing Association.
Notes to editors
1. The Scottish Housing Regulator was established on 1 April 2011 under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010. Its objective is to safeguard and promote the interests of tenants and others who use local authority and RSL housing services. The Regulator operates independently of Scottish Ministers and is accountable directly to the Scottish Parliament. It assumed its full regulatory responsibilities on 1 April 2012. The Regulator consists of the Chair and eight Board members. More information about the Regulator can be found on its website at www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk
2. SHR regulates around 160 registered social landlords and the housing activities of 32 local authorities.
3. SHR sets its approach to regulation in its Regulatory Framework.