The Charity Commission for England and Wales has pledged to work more closely with the Regulator of Social Housing.

The two regulators have published a memorandum of understanding (MoU) around regulation of private providers of social housing who are also charities.

The agreement, which will be reviewed every three years, also applies where there are links between a charity and a social housing provider that is not a charity itself.

This aims to achieve “a collaborative, efficient and effective working relationship” around regulation which spans both their remits.

A focus is on ensuring both regulators “cooperate and communicate effectively” in such circumstances as well around information sharing.

Both also pledge to communicate “at an early stage on any issues” that are significant for each other and to signpost those raising concerns to each other “where appropriate”.

The regulators senior leaders also pledge to meet regularly and ensure there is “consistency” when they are communicating about each other’s roles.

The regulators say that while the memorandum “does not create or impose legally binding rights or obligations” on them “both organisations are committed to working in accordance with its provisions” and will “ensure that their relevant staff are aware” of it.

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