Audit Commission

In the housing sector, the Audit Commission is responsible for the assessment of the service delivery of housing associations, as well as local authorities and arm's length management organisations (ALMOs).

This is the third MoU between the Housing Corporation and the Audit Commission since the Commission took over responsibility for the inspection of housing associations in April 2003.  It has been prompted by the review, chaired by Sir Les Elton, of the regulatory and compliance requirements on housing associations

The MoU sets out how the two organisations will work together in regulating and inspecting housing associations. It outlines their arrangements for the management of their respective roles and responsibilities, and the key principles that will underpin their relationship.

For the first time, the MoU is supported by an annual work plan that describes the programme of joint work which has been agreed for 2007/8 in order to deliver the commitments set out in the MoU. It also details the priorities which have been applied to determine which associations are inspected in the forthcoming programme.  Operational guidance on these roles is also available.