Tenant Services Authority News Release 

Boards are key to self regulation, says TSA Chairman

12 November 2008    ref: TSA05

Boards are key to self regulation, was the message yesterday (12 November) from the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) Chairman, Anthony Mayer, at the Chartered Institute of Housing's Annual Conference, Eastern Region.

In his speech 'The Road Ahead', the challenge to Board members was issued as he set out the TSA's approach to regulation and stressed that accountability would be a key component of their work.

Anthony Mayer said, "We will look to Boards and not executives to account for themselves and their stewardship of the associations.  This is a profound challenge for Board members, but equally a huge opportunity."

He described how this challenge relates to one of two major changes in the 2008 Housing Act - this relating to the 'knock on affect of co-regulation'.  He then went on to describe the second major change as being the Government's wish for 'cross-domain regulation' - the same deal to be given to all local authority and housing association tenants.

With only weeks to go before the TSA comes into force, other key points in Anthony Mayer's speech included:

• the milestones for the TSA;
• the short and medium term prospect for the housing association sector.

Summing up, Anthony Mayer said, "I strongly welcome the Goverment's support for cross domain regulation as now enacted in the 2008 Housing Act. Given the changing shape of the social housing sector it is more vital than ever that local authority, ALMO and housing tenants get the same deal."

Ends.

Press enquiries to Naomi Evans on 020 7393 2118.

Notes to editors:

1) Anthony Mayer's speech took place at 'Changing Times', the CIH Annual Conference and Exhibition in the Eastern Region.  The conference is taking place between 11 and 13 November at the Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Cambourne, Cambridge.

2) The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is the new independent regulator for affordable housing, set to raise the standard of services through a well-governed sector that puts tenants first.  It is due to launch at the beginning of December 2008.

3) Initially the Tenant Services Authority (the TSA) will operate under the legal powers of the Housing Corporation whilst it consults on the powers set out in the 2008 Housing Act.  

4) The TSA will be consulting with tenants across 5 million households and their landlords - including Local Authorities, ALMOs and housing associations - to develop the new standards framework and implement the new powers granted in the Homes and Communities Act. The TSA intends to ‘switch on’ its new powers for Housing Associations in December 2009 and across the Local Authority sector in April 2010.