The Regulator of Social Housing published regulatory judgements on Wednesday 12 August 2026 that upgraded East Midlands Housing (Emh) Group's consumer grade to C1, from a C2 awarded at an inspection completed in November 2024. RSH said responsive engagement with the landlord focused on delivering its improvement strategy. Emh group showed stronger arrangements for considering tenants' views in strategic decisions about landlord services, and improvements in customer service and complaints handling led to fewer complaints. Its governance grade is G1 and its financial viability grade V2.

RSH also published a first consumer grade of C2 for Lancaster City Council after inspection. It identified weaknesses in delivering consumer standards outcomes, specifically in the Safety and Quality Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard. RSH said the council was broadly delivering repairs in a timely way but had a backlog, with a plan in place to complete most overdue repairs by the end of November. Tenants reported feeling listened to and valued, though the council lacks comprehensive information about tenants' characteristics and diversity, limiting fair and equitable outcomes.

RSH introduced revised consumer standards for social housing landlords on 1 April 2024 under the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 and began a programme of landlord inspections. Local authorities receive only consumer gradings.