What is the legal framework that regulates the intention of housing associations to unite, and does that framework make it a requirement to obtain the approval of Welsh Ministers before two or more housing associations can unite?
The Regulation of Registered Social Landlords (Wales) Act 2018 sets out the requirements for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to notify the Welsh Ministers in the event of a merger between RSLs in Wales. RSLs are autonomous organisations with independent Boards who make strategic decisions. As such they are not required to obtain approval from the Welsh Minsters before a merger can take place.
However the Regulatory Framework of Registered Social Landlords in Wales sets out the standards that RSLs are expected to demonstrate, and these standards are closely monitored before a merger takes place. An Interim Regulatory Judgment is published shortly after a merger based on the Regulator’s opinion on compliance with these standards during the merger process.