Why we are engaging with Link
We are engaging with Link because it is a systemically important landlord and about the transfer of engagements from Weslo Housing Management (Weslo).
Link has three registered subsidiaries, Horizon Housing Association Ltd (Horizon), Larkfield Housing Association Ltd (Larkfield) and West Highland Housing Association Ltd (West Highland).
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 Link’s size, turnover and level of debt we consider it to be systemically important.
Weslo’s tenants voted in favour of proposal to transfer its engagements to Link in an independent tenant ballot and the transfer took place on 1 June 2021. Link will now support Weslo as it applies to be removed from the Register of Social Landlords.
We met with Link’s senior staff in July 2021 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.
Link is one of the largest developers of new affordable housing in Scotland and receives significant public subsidy to help achieve this. Link plans to develop new homes for social rent and mid-market rent.
What Link must do
Link must:
- provide quarterly updates on progress with the integration of Weslo into Link and with the delivery of the commitments Link has made to Weslo’s tenants and service users;
- provide copies of its Board and audit committee minutes as they become available; 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:
- engage as necessary on the integration of Weslo into Link and on the delivery of the commitments Link has made to Weslo’s tenants and service users;
- review the minutes of Link’s Board and audit committee meetings and liaise as necessary; and
- update our published engagement plan in light of any material change to our planned engagement with Link.
Regulatory returns
Link 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.