Why we are engaging with Kingdom
We are engaging with Kingdom because it is a systemically important landlord and its partnership with Fairfield Housing Association (Fairfield).
COVID-19 has significantly impacted the services provided by social landlords in 2020 and will continue to influence how services are provided in 2021. We will continue to monitor, assess and report upon how each landlord is responding and we will keep our regulatory engagement under review so that we can continue to respond to the challenges of COVID-19.
We refer to a small number of RSLs as systemically important because of their stock size, turnover or level of debt or because of their significance within their area of operation. We need to maintain a comprehensive understanding of how their business models operate, and how they manage the risks they face and the impact these may have. So we seek some additional assurance each year through our engagement plans. Given Kingdom’s size, turnover and level of debt we consider it to be systemically important.
In January 2021, Kingdom and Fairfield agreed to progress a transfer of Fairfield’s homes to Kingdom.
Kingdom and Fairfield will now further develop the transfer proposals in discussion with Fairfield’s tenants and residents. Kingdom will also continue to provide support to Fairfield through a shared services arrangement for Chief Executive and other services.
Kingdom is one of the largest developers of new affordable housing in Scotland and receives significant public subsidy to help achieve this. Kingdom plans to develop new homes for social rent and mid-market rent.
What Kingdom must do
Kingdom must:
- send us by 30 April:
- its approved business plan and updated risk register;
- 30 year financial projections consisting of statement of comprehensive income, statement of financial position and statement of cash flow complete with assumptions and explanatory narrative;
- a comparison of projected financial loan covenants against current covenant requirements;
- financial sensitivity analysis which considers the key risks, the mitigation strategies for these risks and a comparison of the resulting covenant calculations with the actual current covenant requirements and compares the resulting covenants with the actual current covenant requirements;
- the report to the Board in respect of the approved 30 year projections, sensitivity analysis and covenant compliance; and
- evidence of how it demonstrates affordability for its tenants.
- provide copies of its Board and audit committee minutes as they become available; and
- ensure that the impact of the pandemic on its development plans is reflected in its business plan and tell us if there are any material adverse changes to its development plans which might affect its financial position or reputation, in line with our notifiable events guidance.
What we will do
We will:
- review the minutes of the Board and audit committee meetings and liaise as necessary;
- review the business plan and financial projections;
- meet with Kingdom’s senior staff to discuss the impact of the pandemic on its existing business model and business plan and any risks to the organisation particularly in relation to its services to tenants;
- review the progress of the Transfer of Engagements of Fairfield to Kingdom; and
- update our published engagement plan in light of any material change to our planned engagement with Kingdom.
Regulatory returns
Kingdom must provide us with the following annual regulatory returns and alert us to notifiable events as appropriate:
- Annual Assurance Statement;
- audited financial statements and external auditor’s management letter;
- loan portfolio return;
- five year financial projections; and
- Annual Return on the Charter.
It should also notify us of any material changes to its Annual Assurance Statement, and any tenant and resident safety matter which has been reported to or is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive or reports from regulatory or statutory authorities or insurance providers, relating to safety concerns.