Iain Muirhead

The research shows stakeholders make use of the full range of SHR’s communications channels, with the website and publications used most frequently. All channels were rated as either ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ useful by over half of respondents.

Direct contact with SHR, its publications and its website received the highest ratings. Most (86%) rated direct contact, publications (77%) and the website (75%) as very useful.

Stakeholders were also positive about the overall quality of SHR’s communications. Most respondents (92%) rated the quality as very good or good – up from 82% in 2022. A large majority (90%) said the amount and frequency (88%) of communications felt about right.

The survey also gathered helpful suggestions to support the Regulator in further strengthening its approach.

Iain Muirhead, the Regulator’s director of digital and business support, said: “Clear, effective communication is central to our work, so it’s encouraging to hear that people continue to find our information useful and that the quantity and quality still feel right.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the survey and shared their views. Your feedback gives us valuable insight into how you use our information. We’ll use it, alongside feedback from our direct engagement with stakeholders, to help shape how we communicate in the future.”

The survey explored people’s preferences for accessing information and identified which regulatory publications they value most.

Independent researchers, Jump Research Ltd, conducted the survey on behalf of SHR. A total of 97 responses were received from registered social landlords, local authorities, tenant organisations, representative groups, and other bodies.

SHR said it will use the findings to help inform its future communications.

The Regulator also hears directly from tenants on their communications preferences and views on how it communicates through its National Panel research and its Tenants Together (Scotland) Scottish Housing Regulator Liaison Group.

The Regulator has also published new simple guidance on how to save or print website content as a PDF, is continuing work to make its website search function even better, and is exploring ways to make its website even more accessible for British Sign Language users. These enhancements reflect feedback gathered through the survey.