3 things we learned from the Repairs Tracker 2026

In our exclusive analysis of the 2024-25 accounts, which we published this week, Inside Housing breaks down what individual providers are spending and why.

So what are the main trends from the data, and what are the reasons behind them? For the full analysis, you’ll need to read our Repairs Tracker 2026, but here are three of the main takeaways.

1. Costs are still rising, for multiple reasons

The overall cost of repairs and maintenance for providers grew by 13% in 2024-25 compared to the previous year, including a 16% rise in major and capitalised repairs and an 11% hike in responsive repairs.

Within these numbers are myriad different stories about what is going on in different housing providers, which we go into more in the full story. However, across the sector, the combined spend has risen for the fourth year in a row. The £10bn headline figure marks a new record high for the sector, and future forecasts indicate repair costs will average around £11bn per year.

Inflation has played a part, along with what one expert calls “unprecedented” additional demands on providers as regulations have toughened.

Fire safety and remediation works and ambitious energy efficiency programmes have also played a part – we get into this in more detail in the full analysis. 

2. Interest cover is at stake

This ever-increasing rise in repairs spending is affecting interest cover – a measure of landlords’ ability to pay off debts that usually includes major repairs costs.

For the second year in a row, the overall sector’s interest cover fell, meaning it stayed below 100%. 

But, for the first time, the RSH separated out the 19 largest providers, showing that for this group interest cover is at 77%, whereas without them the rest of the sector is recording a healthier 98%.  

Peter Hubbard of Anthony Collins pointed out that many of the biggest housing associations are operating in London, where operating costs are greater and more buildings fall into the high-risk category, meaning they need more safety works.

3. Operating models and stock profile also have an impact

This year’s analysis also underlined how exposure to repair costs varies depending on the landlords’ operating model and stock profile.

Most of the housing associations that spent the least per home were for-profit providers, which tend to be newer entrants to the sector with more modern homes that have less need for repairs or major investment.

One exempt supported provider, which spent £0 per home in 2024-25, explained that its managing agent oversees maintenance.

In contrast, Clarion and Places for People, two of the UK’s largest and longest-operating landlords, cited the age of their stock as one of the reasons for their higher repairs spend.

For more on this, including searchable tables breaking down repairs spending, see our full Repairs Tracker.