Registering as a social housing provider in England involves more than just the official application and annual fees charged by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). Here’s what to expect:
RSH Fees (2025)
- Preliminary application: £525
- Detailed application: £2,625
- Annual fee (under 1,000 units): £682.50
- Annual fee (over 1,000 units): Private providers £9.80 per unit or Local authorities £7.55 per unit
Other Costs to Consider
In practice, many organisations also need to budget for additional professional fees to support a strong and compliant application:
- Legal advice: often needed to review constitutional documents and help set up suitable governance structures
- Accountancy input: to develop or validate your business plan, financial forecasts and viability models
- RICS valuations: which are frequently required to evidence asset values and security, with costs typically starting at £1,000, depending on the size and scale of the property or portfolio
- Consultancy support: to ensure your business plan, financials, risk assessments and governance arrangements align with RSH expectations
At Thornton & Lowe, we offer a range of flexible options and can tailor our support to meet the needs of your organisation and, importantly, your budget. Our structured guidance packages include access to training sessions delivered by an active CEO from a Registered Provider. These interactive sessions guide you through the registration process, answer common questions, and offer a chance for open discussion.
For those looking for hands-on help, we also provide a fully managed service where our team leads and manages the entire application process, including documentation, preparation, and liaison with the Regulator.
To explore the best route for your organisation, take a look at our detailed guidance on becoming a registered social housing provider or get in touch with our housing consultancy team.
