Housing associations provide affordable sales and rental housing to people on low incomes or who require extra support. Between them, and other local authorities, they provide almost 20% of the UK’s stock, housing almost 6 million people. So, which are the best UK housing associations? We looked at housing association tenant reviews and ratings right here on HomeViews to find out.
What is the biggest housing association in the UK?
The biggest housing association in the UK is Clarion Housing. Clarion manages 125,000 dwellings, while the second-largest is The Peabody Trust, with 108,000. L&Q is the third-largest, with around 105,000 homes on its books.
How many housing associations are there in the UK?
There are around 1,600 housing associations, or ‘private registered providers’ (PRPs) in the UK. These include charities as well as for-profit companies and non-profit companies. Local authorities also provide social housing. In total, 196 local authorities registered in the UK provide housing.
List of UK housing associations rated on HomeViews
Below are some of the UK’s larger housing associations. We’ve looked at verified resident reviews for these organisations and listed them here in order of their ‘overall’ ratings. We calculated their score based on an average of all their resident ratings, providing a good idea of their overall performance.
Click on any of the companies below to see more details and all rated developments.
Sage Homes is a prominent provider of affordable housing in England, specializing in shared ownership and rental properties. They offer newly built, high-quality homes, focusing on creating secure, welcoming communities. Their shared ownership scheme allows buyers to purchase between 10% and 75% of a home and pay rent on the rest, with the option to […] Read more about Sage Homes
Persimmon is one of the UK’s largest residential developers, building over 13,500 new homes a year in more than 350 locations across the nation. The company was founded in 1972 by Life President Duncan Davidson, and is now made up of a network of 31 regional operating businesses, with headquarters in York.
Bromford are a housing association with almost 45,000 homes spread across central and South West England. Bromford believe in providing warm, safe and secure homes.
Legal & General have been involved in housing for over 20 years. They work with local authorities, housing associations, and developers across the country. They aim to deliver over 3,000 affordable new homes a year. Furthermore, Legal & General Affordable Homes is partnered with 14 housing associations and providers for day-to-day management of the properties. […] Read more about Legal & General Affordable Homes
NLM (North London Muslim Housing Association) is a not-for-profit organisation which seeks to provide outstanding customer service. They manage 1000 homes in 5 local authority areas across North East London, building neighbourhoods and to transform the lives of residents.
The Hyde Group is a UK-based housing association that’s primarily focused on residential property in London and the South East of England. It currently manages around 50,000 homes in London, with a mission to provide ‘a great home for everyone.’ HomeViews lists developments by The Hyde Group situated across London. Bermondsey Spa in Southwark is […] Read more about The Hyde Group
Notting Hill Genesis was founded in 2018 – a merger between Notting Hill Housing and Genesis Housing Association. It exists to provide new communities characterised by quality, affordable housing, and operates across London and England’s South East regions. Notting Hill Genesis developments on HomeViews include Zenith Close – a peaceful, purpose-built neighbourhood in emerging Colindale, […] Read more about Notting Hill Genesis
L&Q believe passionately that people’s health, security and happiness depend on where they live. L&Q house around 250,000 people in more than 105,000 homes, primarily across London and the South East – but L&Q are more than just a registered charitable housing association. L&Q create better places to live by delivering high quality homes, neighbourhoods […] Read more about L&Q
Moat is a housing association providing affordable homes for people in the South East of England. Moat Homes is Homes England development partners. Developing around 600 new homes every year, owning and manages over 20,000 homes in the South East. All financial surpluses are reinvested to provide additional affordable homes and services. Kidbrooke Village Shared […] Read more about Moat Homes
Sovereign Network Group is one of England’s leading providers of quality homes, specializing in London Living Rent and Shared Ownership properties across London and Hertfordshire. They take great pride in the homes they deliver and manage, operating commercially while reinvesting profits into building more affordable homes and providing excellent customer service. In October 2023, Network […] Read more about Sovereign Network Group
FABRICA is a property business dedicated to building and designing homes in carefully considered locations. From urban apartments to rural houses, every FABRICA development emphasizes quality, sustainable living, and exceptional customer service. FABRICA understands the importance of integrating developments with their locations and communities. Each development is uniquely built, reflecting a long-term commitment to property […] Read more about FABRICA
Southern Housing, formerly known as Southern Housing Group and Optivo, is one of the largest housing providers in the UK. With over 77,000 homes across London, the Southeast, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we provide affordable housing for more than 167,000 people. It offers a wide range of housing options, including: Traditional social […] Read more about Southern Housing
B3Living rent and sell homes to help people who are priced out of the market. They work with their local community in Broxbourne and across southeast Hertfordshire, where they have 5,000 homes supporting more than 12,000 people.
Hill is an award-winning housebuilder and one of the leading developers in London and the southeast of England, offering both private and affordable homes. This family-owned and operated company is the UK’s second-largest privately-owned housebuilder, with a diverse portfolio that includes landmark mixed-use regeneration schemes, inner-city apartments, and homes in rural countryside settings. Hill prides […] Read more about The Hill Group
Tower Hamlets Homes is a non-profit organisation that was set up to deliver quality housing for 21,000 residents across East London. The company works alongside Tower Hamlets Council who owns the homes in the portfolio, with Tower Hamlets Homes managing the tenancies and leases for each building. The Ionian Building is a Tower Hamlets Homes […] Read more about Tower Hamlets Homes
Peabody is one of London’s largest housing providers, committed to designing, building and maintaining quality homes and neighbourhoods. Peabody and Family Mosaic merged back in 2017, and now look after thousands of residents in homes across London, Essex, Sussex, Hampshire and Kent. HomeViews lists Peabody developments across the capital, from E13’s Upton Village to SW11’s […] Read more about Peabody
How does a housing association work?
Some of the biggest UK housing associations
Housing associations provide a variety of different types of affordable housing to those who need it. Social rented and affordable rented homes are offered at a lower price than the normal market rate. Shared Ownership homes are offered as a more affordable way of buying a home, while supported and specialist housing is also provided by housing associations.
Additionally, housing association offer housing to rent and buy at normal market rates. Charities and non-profit companies will reinvest any profits made into providing more homes, or into local communities. The Government also provides funding for housing associations to supply homes.
What other work do housing associations do?
In addition to building new homes and offering various support packages for those in need of housing, housing associations often provide valuable community services. Housing associations are dedicated to the communities they work in, and typically run a host of services for local people. These can include providing training and advice services, youth schemes, apprenticeships and community hubs, and regenerating poor quality homes to help areas become thriving, happy places to live.
In the UK, housing associations are not-for-profit organisations. As such, they don’t make profit for shareholders and they invest all of their income back into delivering on their social aims. This means building new homes, improving existing properties and estates, providing support for vulnerable people and helping to run valuable community services.
Who do housing associations provide housing for?
To be eligible for housing association accommodation, you typically have to first apply to your local council’s housing register. Each local council has different rules associated with applying to be added to the housing register, and you may have to spend time on a waiting list before being added. Once you’re on the list, you may be offered council housing or housing association accommodation.
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