Lender and investor confidence continues to grow as the social housing sector remains financially strong with sufficient access to funding. This is the main finding of a new report published today by the Scottish Housing Regulator.
The report is a summary of the Regulator’s annual analysis of RSLs’ annual loan portfolio returns, which set out their borrowing and funding arrangements.
It shows funds available to RSLs have increased and the sector is continuing to attract new investors.
Shaun Keenan, Assistant Director of Regulation said:
“Well-performing, financially healthy RSLs attract greater investment at more competitive rates to invest in the homes and services they provide. So, continued growth in lender confidence and a financially strong sector is good news for tenants and service users.
“Last year, the increase in funds available to RSLs was double that of any of the last 10 years, reaching £6 billion for the first time ever. The sector got 40% of all new investment from capital markets, and attracted two major new investors - MetLife and Handlesbanken.
“RSLs are also making more efficient use of their existing assets to support further borrowing.
“We will continue to work with landlords to deliver effective regulation and to support them in building a culture of self-assurance in their own organisations to continue to build lender confidence and attract investment in homes and services for tenants and service users.”
Read the summary of RSLs' Annual Loan Portfolio Returns as at March 2019
Notes to editors
- 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 housingregulator.gov.scot
- SHR sets out how it regulates social landlords in its published framework – Regulation of Social Housing in Scotland.