The following letter from Kate Barker, Chair of the Transition Project Board for the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords (OFTENANT), has been written for stakeholders to provide an update on the transition process to the new housing regulator.

Since I took up the post of Chair of the OFTENANT Transition Project Board.   late last year we have been busy getting the ‘groundworks’ in place ready for creation of the new agency. 

From a standing start in October 2007 we are making good progress.  There is a joint intention to ensure that work to establish OFTENANT and the HCA runs in parallel, and I am pleased that we are on track - subject to Parliamentary timetables - to establish the new regulator, including the appointment of its Board on or before April 2009 and, importantly, in parallel with the Homes and Communities Agency.

One of the first tasks of the new regulator will be to design a new regulatory system, consult on a standards framework, and introduce the new requirements and enforcement powers.   For the new arrangements to stand the test of time it is important that this task is not unduly rushed.  For that reason, OFTENANT will for a period of time have to regulate using the same 1996 legislation as the Housing Corporation does now.  We have been working with CLG to make sure that we have appropriate powers vested in OFTENANT to be able to deliver this. 

However, whilst it is right and proper for OFTENANT to spend time getting the new system agreed, there is no reason why the philosophy of the new tenant centred regulatory approach cannot be introduced right from the start working within the existing regulatory framework.   I know this is important to you as stakeholders, and expect this to be a priority for OFTENANT's new leadership team when they are appointed.

You will have seen we have started the process of recruiting both a Chair and Chief Executive. We expect a Chair to be appointed by the end of May with the CEO appointment following in June.  Recruitment to other senior posts will follow.

Whilst decisions on staffing and locations have still to be finalised, we expect the regulator to be an organisation of around 250 staff with two principal centres in London and Manchester and with staff located in other offices sharing with HCA, or working remotely. 

Over recent weeks we have been actively engaging with key stakeholders – that engagement will continue over coming months and will include tenant bodies, lenders, the emerging HCA and housing providers.  I welcome the positive and constructive contribution that all have made to our work to date.

Best wishes
Kate Barker