The Co-Regulation Champions, who were awarded the status by the Tenant Services Authority in early 2011, agreed that social housing providers have a great opportunity to step up to the mark with the regulator's withdrawal from consumer regulation.

They will agree a set of principles of excellent co-regulation and will continue to work together to keep the legacy of the Co-Regulation Champions alive. One of their first projects will be to work with the Centre for Public Scrutiny to put together a report on Co-Regulation at the ten organisations and how the Champions have promoted best practice in the sector. Between them, the ten Champions have shared their work with more than 200 other housing providers.

Claer Lloyd-Jones, Chief Executive of the TSA said, "I was delighted to hear of this meeting and am grateful to all the champions for putting this together.   I hope they are able to continue with the excellent work they have started."

Richard Peacock, Chief Executive of Soha said, "There is a real danger that the gap left by the TSA could lead to mediocrity. Most housing providers want to keep pushing to achieve excellence and we hope that,  by joining together, the Co-Regulation Champions might give more oomph to deliver excellence."

Carol Wood, a tenant and Chair of the Advisory and Scrutiny Panel at Wirral Partnership Homes said, "Co-Regulation is a real opportunity for tenants' views to be heard and acted upon when practicable."

Barabra Harper, Salix Homes'  customer senator said, "It is proven that customer led regulation leads to real improvements in service for tenants and leaseholders. It is really important therefore that co-regulation is promoted in the housing sector and hopefully today is a first step in helping to make this happen."

Notes for editors:

1) The ten Co-Regulation Champions are: Amicus Horizon, Community Gateway Association, Family Housing Association, Helena Partnerships, New Charter Housing Trust, Salix Homes, Soha Housing, The Riverside Group, Wherry Housing Association and Wirral Partnership Homes

They were awarded this status by the TSA, following a panel decision which included the Centre for Public Scrutiny and TPAS.

2) For more information, please contact Catherine Little, Policy & Initiatives Manager, clittle@soha.co.uk,  or Liz Roberts, Marketing Department,  lizroberts@soha.co.uk at Soha Housing.