Why care providers should work with Registered Providers of social housing

There are several reasons why care providers should consider working with a Registered Provider (RP) of social housing. RP is a term used in England to refer to a registered housing association, while in Wales and Scotland they are known as Registered Social Landlords (RSLs). RP’s work with care providers to provide property management services through a service level agreement between the two organisations. Here are six reasons why care providers should consider partnering with an RP:

1. Lease management: RP’s handle the details of the lease, including negotiations and the cost of writing the lease. They also arrange the tenancy agreement with the tenants living at the property, working with social workers and the court of protection if necessary. No deposit is required from the care provider.
2. Liaising with the local authority: RP’s liaise with the local authority to claim enhanced housing benefit and are skilled at rent setting and working with local authority benefits teams to ensure tenants receive the appropriate level of housing benefit. The local authority can claim back 100% of housing benefit from the government (compared to only 60% if claimed by a charity or CIC), making the supported living scheme more attractive to the local authority and providing greater financial security for the landlord.
3. Repairs and maintenance: RP’s handle property management and arrange all repairs and maintenance, allowing care providers to focus on providing care and support. This can be especially beneficial as managing supported living schemes can be complex and time-consuming.
4. Peace of mind: Working with an RP ensures that the supported living scheme is set up in a compliant way, as recommended by the Care Quality Commission in “Registering The Right Support.”
5. Reputation: Partnering with an RP can improve the credibility and reputation of the care provider, leading to more referrals and a positive reputation with the local authority.
6. Time savings: Working with an RP can save time by taking on much of the paperwork and administration involved in tenancy management, allowing care providers to focus on delivering quality care.

How to find the right RP for your organisation:

Not all RP’s will be willing to work with all organisations, as some may have specific mandates to only work with certain tenant groups or in specific locations. It is important to do due diligence on an RP before entering into an agreement and to ensure that the organisation is comfortable with any agreement and is not taking on unnecessary risk. However, if the right RP is found, the potential benefits can be significant.