Jayne Bryant MS, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government
Ensuring that the social housing sector in Wales remains strong, transparent, and accountable is essential to delivering safe, secure homes for the people who rely on them. Robust regulation is central to this, and it is vital that organisations seeking to become Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) meet clear, consistent standards from the very beginning.
Following a recent consultation, I am publishing the new Criteria for Registration for RSLs in Wales, along with the supporting documentation requirements. These criteria set out what applicants must demonstrate to be considered for registration. They are designed not as a barrier, but as a safeguard, ensuring that new entrants to the sector have the skills, capacity, and financial strength needed to deliver high‑quality services and protect public investment.
A transparent, fair, and consistent application process is essential. The new Registration Criteria provide this clarity. They create a level playing field for all applicants and ensure that decisions on registration are grounded in evidence, not assumptions. Strong regulation is about more than compliance, it is about building confidence, supporting best practice, and securing long‑term resilience across the sector.
The process for registering an RSL in Wales has two key stages. First, applicants must demonstrate they meet statutory eligibility requirements. They are then assessed against wider criteria, including governance, management arrangements, and financial viability. Applicants may provide additional information where needed, and a final recommendation is made based on the totality of this evidence.
These measures are not simply procedural; they are an important step in ensuring that every organisation entrusted with delivering social housing in Wales is capable, well‑governed, and able to manage risks effectively. Our focus is on preventing failures before they occur and ensuring that new RSLs are equipped to serve communities with professionalism, stability, and care.
Once registered, RSLs are subject to ongoing oversight in line with the Regulatory Framework. This continued scrutiny is essential to protecting tenants and maintaining trust. Our responsibility is to ensure that all RSLs, existing and prospective, operate to high standards of governance and financial management, and these new criteria reinforce that commitment.