The Scottish Housing Regulator has today published a new report highlighting that lender confidence in registered social landlords (RSLs) remains strong. The report is the Regulator’s annual analysis of Registered Social Landlords’ loan portfolio returns for the period April 2025 to March 2026.
During 2025/26, 31 RSLs secured £304 million of new finance, down from £563 million in the previous year. Most new borrowing (88%) was used to support the building of new homes.
Looking ahead, RSLs expect to increase borrowing by a further £1.7 billion over the next five years to support investment in new and existing homes.
Shaun Keenan, Assistant Director of Financial Regulation, said:
“RSLs have generally maintained strong liquidity despite ongoing challenges, and most remain well placed to access private finance. However, future investment needs, including maintaining existing homes, delivering new homes and meeting the proposed Social Housing Net Zero Standard, may increase pressure on finances and borrowing over time.
“RSLs’ access to finance helps support investment in homes, repairs, improvements and services for tenants, and RSLs expect borrowing to increase over the next five years. Continued lender and investor appetite suggests ongoing confidence in the sector, its underlying business model and Scotland's regulatory framework.
“We will continue to monitor financial performance and treasury management, engaging with RSLs where we identify emerging risks or weaknesses.”
The Regulator has also published a short summary explaining what the findings of this report mean for tenants.
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 seven Board members. More information about the Regulator can be found on its website at www.housingregulator.gov.scot
- SHR sets out how it regulates social landlords in its published framework – Regulation of Social Housing in Scotland.