Inspectors call for views on RSL star ratings

The audit commission is proposing to award star ratings to registered social landlords, as predicted by Housing Today (HT 26 September, page 13).

The commission's proposal, included in a consultation published yesterday, are intended to allow tenants to compare the performance of housing associations directly with that of local authorities.

The consultation also includes plans to do away with automatic inspections for RSLs with fewer than 500 homes. At present, the cut-off point is 250 homes. But in future, a risk assessment will be used to decide whether inspection needs to take place for associations with between 250 and 500 homes.

Roy Irwin, chief inspector of housing at the commission, said: "The proposals are designed to ensure that resources are used to maximum effect in securing continuous improvement in housing services."