Regulator mulls striking small landlord off its register due to ‘persistent’ failure

“These ongoing failures continue to put the social homes it owns and the quality of services it delivers at risk,” it added.

Pivotal, which has 173 units of social housing and 371 other homes, now has the opportunity to make representations to the RSH before it makes a final decision.

The enforcement notice was issued to Pivotal last April after the landlord “failed to ensure” it had access to sufficient liquidity and could manage significant risks to its viability “both in the short and longer term”.

Back in 2021, the RSH concluded after an investigation that PHA was not delivering the outcomes of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard and the Rent Standard.

Jonathan Walters, deputy chief executive at RSH, said: “Failing to take prompt and effective action to meet the regulatory standards, and protect homes and tenants, is unacceptable.

“We will carefully consider any representations made by Pivotal before making a final decision but [we are] prepared to take robust action to maintain the integrity of the register and safeguard the reputation of the sector.”

In a statement, the board of trustees and the CEO of Pivotal Housing Association said: “We are disappointed to have received the regulatory judgement issued by the Regulator of Social Housing today. We have been engaging regularly with the regulator and will continue to do so as we work to move to a position of regulatory compliance.

“We note that the regulator is considering the de-registration of Pivotal Housing Association as a registered provider of social housing. However, we will continue to make representations to the regulator to demonstrate how we meet the necessary criteria for continued registration, and we will continue to provide vital homes and services to the residents we serve.”