The Regulator of Social Housing published annual statistics on 27 October 2026 covering stock ownership and rents across England as of 31 March 2026. Returns from private and local authority registered providers show around 4.6 million homes in the sector, a net increase of around 36,000 since 2025. The rise was driven by an increase of over 24,000 Affordable Rent homes and 13,390 low-cost home ownership homes, while social rent homes fell by just over 1,700.

Private registered providers had a net gain of 7,829 social rent homes, while local authorities saw a decrease of 9,570, which the regulator said was likely driven primarily by right to buy sales and other schemes. Private providers accounted for 88% of the total increase in Affordable Rent and 97% for low-cost home ownership properties. General needs housing made up 82% of social homes, supported housing 11% and low-cost home ownership 6%. London held 19.4% of registered provider owned homes and the North East 5.4%; Birmingham had the largest local authority volume at just over 107,000 homes.

Average general needs social rent weekly net rents rose 3.2% between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. The average weekly rent for private registered providers in England was £121.72, lowest in the North East at £100.31 and highest in London at £154.73. Will Perry, Director of Strategy at RSH, said the analysis offers a picture of the sector's resilience and challenges. There were 1,580 providers on the register at 31 March 2026, including 230 local authorities and 1,350 private registered providers.