Aster Group achieves highest possible consumer standards rating from the Regulator of Social Housing

• Aster has secured a C1 grading in its first review under the new Regulatory Inspection consumer standards, highlighting its commitment to listening and engagement through its Customer Voice programme.
• The South of England and London housing association has also maintained its G1 and V2 ratings for governance and financial viability.

Housing association Aster Group has been awarded a C1 grading by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), recognising the organisation’s strong performance against regulatory standards in areas such as customer experience, health and safety, and full regulatory compliance.

Aster has been awarded the highest achievable rating under the new Regulatory Inspection consumer standards, which require registered social housing providers to ensure customers receive quality accommodation, are offered choice and protection, and have access to robust complaints’ processes.

Alongside achieving the RSH’s C1 rating, the housing association retained G1 and V2 ratings for governance and financial viability, demonstrating the Regulator’s confidence not only in Aster’s strategy, but how it is delivered. Aster has held G1 or equivalent since the regulatory grading system came into force, underscoring its robust approach to risk management, transparent decision-making, and continued commitment to deliver new affordable homes and a long-term repairs programme.

Its financial viability rating shifted from V1 to V2 in December 2025. This reflects its increased investment in services and its portfolio of over 38,000 homes despite wider economic pressures, to maintain quality and safety for customers.

Reasons cited by the RSH for the C1 grading include Aster’s commitment to keeping customers regularly informed about its performancethrough its Customer Voice programme and a new digital information platform, as well as being open about areas of focus and improvements being made. The launch of a Customer Engagement Framework has strengthened how customers can influence decisions at a strategic level.

Over the past 12 months, Aster has also enhanced customer representation in its governance procedure, including the appointment of a customer Chair and member to its Customer Voice Committee. Feedback shared through this Committee is driving tangible improvements ensuring customer views are reflected in decisions about homes, neighbourhoods and communities.

Bjorn Howard, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aster Group, said: “To get the very best in the Regulator’s new consumer ratings is a tremendous recognition of our approach to customer care and the commitment of our teams.

“It’s important that we take the time and effort to properly listen to our customers and learn from them at every opportunity. This engagement is what’s shaped our Customer Voice programme and new framework, delivering enhancements to the services we provide and better outcomes.

"Retaining our G1 governance rating – which we have held since the regulatory grading system came into force – is a further mark of confidence in the strength and stability of our leadership. Strong governance is what forms the foundation of our comprehensive support for customers. Meanwhile, our V2 financial viability rating reflects our focus on investing in our portfolio of homes across the South of England and London, which is the right thing to do for customers – not only for today, but long into the future.”

In its recent unaudited results, Aster revealed it had completed 978 homes in 2025/26, including 914 affordable homes, with a strong development pipeline of 2,708 homes to complete by March 2035. These figures include its strategic partnership with Homes England, through which it is set to deliver 1,550 homes by March 2028.

Aster also remains the leading housing association provider of community land trust (CLT) partnerships, with nine CLT schemes now on site delivering 189 homes across rural and urban communities.