In a league of their own

And in the case of the Housing Corporation’s new efficiency rankings, several RSLs are perturbed to find themselves towards the foot of the 192-strong pile.

They all have justifications for their lowly position, mostly concerning the method in which the index has been calculated. Many are also concerned about its presentation.

As we report on page 7, those offering specialist services claim the index will inevitably – and unfairly – present them as less efficient. Those with dispersed stock say they face prejudicial treatment compared with those with homes concentrated in one area. Others insist the condition and age of their housing reduces their efficiency.

Of course, if the index is to work, some yardsticks will need to be applied to all. A list made up solely of exceptions would be of use to nobody.

But a method that is perceived to penalise RSLs offering specialist services will only serve to discourage them, and others, from doing so.

To its credit, the corporation has conceded that this first draft will need some tweaking.

As Jon Rouse explains on page 18, future versions will be refined and updated and the corporation has pledged to reconsider the circumstances of those who feel their assessment has not considered all the relevant data. Supplementary indices will be developed to make the league table work better.

Two points spring immediately to mind as issues that it should consider as part of this process.

Many chief executives are surprised to see RSR data analysed in this format

Rouse suggests that because RSLs themselves provided the raw data in their regulatory statistical returns, they are partly to blame if they feel not enough information has been considered.

But many chief executives are surprised to see their responses presented and analysed in this league table format.

Evidently the corporation could have done a better job of communicating to RSLs precisely how it planned to present these figures.

Secondly, many of the complaints from the sector concern the assessment of associations that are part of larger group structures . Of the 192 surveyed, 81 were in this category.

Group structures very often operate along different lines to individual entities, shifting money from one subsidiary to the other.

It would therefore make sense for the corporation to resurrect the defunct Group RSR, thereby more accurately comparing like with like.

So while the corporation considers the individual concerns of RSLs who feel their rating to be unfair, the introduction of a group index would be a good place to start.