Social housing landlords in England planned to invest record amounts in repairs while also building new homes, according to the 2026 financial forecasts of private registered providers published by the Regulator of Social Housing on 6 October 2026. The regulator said the data indicated some anticipated stabilisation of the sector's finances, though landlords faced significant pressures from the trade-off between more and better social homes.

The forecasts showed aggregate interest cover over the first five years of plans comparable to the previous set, a metric that had been declining in each successive year. The regulator attributed this to a slowing in the rate of increase in repairs and maintenance spending combined with increased income growth. Development plans rose modestly over five years, reversing recent trends, with a more substantial increase over the ten-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme, reflecting grant bids being made when plans were submitted. Funding the plans required £54.7bn of new borrowing over the first five years and additional grant of £16.3bn forecast over the same period.

The regulator said variation within the sector remained substantial, with the largest providers (over 40,000 homes) generally having a tighter financial position. Landlords' plans were prepared in early 2026 and do not fully reflect the financial impact of ongoing global events, consequential changes to inflation and interest rates, or the outcomes of grant bid submissions. RSH Director of Strategy Will Perry said the trade-offs were not easy and financial pressures needed careful management.