How to Find Out Who Your Housing Association Is

It sounds like it should be obvious, but plenty of tenants aren't sure who their landlord actually is. Homes are transferred from councils to housing associations, housing associations merge and change their names, and some homes are managed by one organisation but owned by another.

Knowing exactly who your landlord is matters when you want to report a repair, make a complaint, or apply for a mutual exchange. Here's how to find out.

1. Check Your Tenancy Agreement

Your tenancy agreement names your landlord on the first page. If you've had your home a long time, the name may have changed since, but it's the best place to start.

2. Look At Your Rent Statements Or Letters

Rent statements, rent increase letters and repair appointment letters all come from your landlord, usually with its name and logo at the top. If you pay rent by direct debit, the name on your bank statement is a good clue too.

3. Check Who You Call For Repairs

The number you ring to report a repair is usually your landlord's, or a company working for it. If a contractor turns up, ask who they're working for.

4. Ask Your Council

If your council transferred its homes to a housing association some years ago, your council's housing team can tell you which one. Many councils list their old stock transfers on their websites.

5. Search Our Landlord Directory

Once you have a name, look it up in our list of housing associations and council landlords. It includes every registered social landlord in England, Wales and Scotland, including older names many organisations used to trade under, so you can find yours even if it's merged or been renamed.

Each landlord has a profile showing:

• its official registration details
• how many homes it owns, and where
• the regulator's grades
• where published, tenant satisfaction and complaints figures
• star ratings and reviews from its tenants on our site

Council Or Housing Association?

If your landlord's name includes "Council" or "Borough", it's almost certainly your local authority. Names with "Homes", "Housing", "Group" or "Living" are usually housing associations. If you're not sure, the directory shows each landlord's type. For what the difference means for your tenancy and rights, read Council House vs Housing Association: What's the Difference?

Why It Matters For A Swap

When you apply for a mutual exchange, you apply to your own landlord, and the other tenant applies to theirs. Getting the right organisation saves weeks of waiting on the wrong desk. It's also worth looking up the other tenant's landlord before you agree to swap, because you'll be its tenant afterwards.

When you list your home on Mutual Home Exchange, you choose your landlord from the directory. Your dashboard then shows its grades and record, and tenants viewing your home can see who they'd be renting from.

Want to know how your landlord compares with others? Our landlord league table ranks housing associations and councils in England and Scotland by what their own tenants say, with repairs and complaints figures alongside.

The Short Answer

Check your tenancy agreement, rent statements or repair letters for your landlord's name, or ask your council. Then look it up in our landlord directory to see who they are and how they perform.