A new chapter begins for AHBs
The next phase for statutory AHB regulation is the commencement of AHBRA’s monitoring and assessment approach
GOVERNANCE & REGULATION
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Steven Sheridan
Head of Communication and Performance, AHBRA
On 1 July 2022, the remaining powers and functions of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) were commenced. These include the ability to monitor and assess AHBs against the Regulatory Standards and carry out investigations into the affairs of AHBs, where it is considered appropriate.
AHBRA’s powers and functions have been introduced in a phased manner, to allow AHBs time to prepare for the implementation of statutory regulation. AHBRA has sought to engage with stakeholders at each stage of our development and implementation and we have achieved a number of significant milestones during 2022 as outlined below:
Date
Milestone
January 2022
All AHBs previously registered on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s register of AHBs were deemed to be registered as AHBs with AHBRA.
February 2022
The ‘Standards for AHBs’ were published.
A ‘Request for Information’ was issued to all AHBs to collect important information on each organisation.
May 2022
The Approved Housing Bodies Register was published on AHBRA’s website.
Registration for AHBs formally opened.
AHBRA’s Registration Policy was published on our website.
August 2022
Guidance to support the Standards for AHBs was published.
Survey issued to AHBs to assist in the development of our monitoring approach.
September 2022
AHBRA issued its first Annual Monitoring Form to all AHBs.
A pilot assessment programme to include a small sample of AHBs commenced.
September / October 2022
Webinars held to assist AHBs in completing the Annual Monitoring Form.
January 2022
All AHBs previously registered on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s register of AHBs were deemed to be registered as AHBs with AHBRA.
February 2022
The ‘Standards for AHBs’ were published.
A ‘Request for Information’ was issued to all AHBs to collect important information on each organisation.
May 2022
The Approved Housing Bodies Register was published on AHBRA’s website.
Registration for AHBs formally opened.
AHBRA’s Registration Policy was published on our website.
August 2022
Guidance to support the Standards for AHBs was published.
Survey issued to AHBs to assist in the development of our monitoring approach.
September 2022
AHBRA issued its first Annual Monitoring Form to all AHBs.
A pilot assessment programme to include a small sample of AHBs commenced.
September / October 2022
Webinars held to assist AHBs in completing the Annual Monitoring Form.
Standards and guidance
Earlier this year, AHBRA published the Standards for AHBs, followed by Guidance to support AHBs in their understanding of the Standards.
The Standards form a crucial element of AHBRA’s overall regulatory approach and relate to:
- Governance of AHBs
- Financial management and financial reporting
- Property and asset management
- Tenancy management
Regulatory framework
AHBRA’s regulatory framework includes a number of important elements such as monitoring, planned and reactive assessments, providing advice and guidance, managing concerns, notifiable events, and relationships with other statutory and regulatory bodies.
AHBRA applies risk-based regulation which ensures our regulatory approach is appropriate, measured and proportionate. It allows us to focus on important risks and to have different levels of engagement with individual AHBs depending on their risk profile.
Annual monitoring of AHBs
All AHBs are requested to provide AHBRA with a range of data and information relating to their asset management, tenancy management, governance, financial management and financial reporting. The monitoring process considers the diversity within the sector and is proportionate, with more detailed data being requested from larger AHBs.
The annual monitoring programme is an important function for AHBRA, and we will analyse and evaluate information provided by AHBs to:
- Inform future planned assessment programmes
- Identify common risk areas and trends across the sector
- Tailor education and guidance needs for AHBs based on the risks identified
- Publish an annual sector analysis
The annual monitoring process is not considered an assessment against the Standards and therefore no regulatory outcome will be issued based on monitoring alone.
Assessment programme for AHBs
Section 38 of the Act sets out AHBRA’s role in carrying out an assessment of compliance by an AHB with the Standards for AHBs. In September 2022, AHBRA launched a pilot assessment programme involving a small, diverse sample of AHBs across the sector.
The purpose of the pilot programme is to evaluate AHBRA’s internal assessment and reporting processes and receive feedback from participating AHBs. This will inform AHBRA’s approach to developing an effective, efficient and proportionate assessment programme. It is expected that following this pilot programme AHBRA will formally launch its planned assessment programme during 2023.
For more information on monitoring and assessment, including useful guidance and recordings of webinars, or any of AHBRA’s functions, please visit our website ahbregulator.ie
“It is expected that following this pilot programme AHBRA will formally launch its planned assessment programme during 2023.”
