Regulator of Social Housing moves to de-register housing association

The RSH first published its findings in 2021 and took enforcement action in April 2025 against Pivotal, a small provider of supported accommodation through leases mainly in the West Country.

This was after after Pivotal failed to demonstrate effective governance and that it was managing its affairs appropriately.

According to the Regulator, Pivotal failed to demonstrate it can manage significant risks to ensure its financial viability and to meet RSH requirements for robust business planning and stress testing.  

Pivotal has also failed to meet the Rent Standard, incorrectly reporting homes as social housing.

Finally, there have been gaps in its understanding of the condition of its homes and the RSH judged the board oversight as “inadequate to ensure tenants are safe in their homes”.

Pivotal may continue to operate as a private landlord, and the RSH’s decision does not affect individual tenancy agreements.

RSH chief executive Jonathan Walters said: “Being a registered provider of social housing is an important and serious undertaking, carrying clear responsibilities and obligations.

“We are prepared to take action where a landlord fails to take prompt and effective action to meet regulatory standards and protect homes.

“Removal from the register is not an action we take lightly, however, Pivotal was not able to resolve very serious failures and did not respond adequately to enforcement action.”

Pivotal Housing Association issued a letter to stakeholders, stating that the RSH’s intention to deregister is a formal step in the regulatory process.

The letter tells stakeholders, that this not an immediate deregistration, and Pivotal remains a registered provider at this time, continuing to have sufficient liquidity to operate as usual.

Pivotal’s Board commented on the RSH decision: “The Board has sought to work closely with the regulator to provide it with assurance of the issues it has referred to in the regulatory judgement, and we feel strong progress has been made.

“We are therefore disappointed that the regulator has not continued to support us to achieve full compliance. We are working with independent advisers to explore our options and review our strategy in response to the regulatory judgement.”

Harry Rodd