| Sovereign Housing Association has emerged as one of the best social landlords in the country, by providing customer satisfaction and consistently good services, according to a new report out today.
Inspectors from the Audit Commission examined the Newbury-based social landlord in September, and concluded that services are good with excellent prospects for improvement.
The result is one of the highest scores in the country since the Audit Commission took on inspections from the Housing Corporation in May, and ranks the association the joint best in the south.
Mike Dobel, Sovereign’s Chairman, said: “This is an excellent result for everyone’s hard work and the real improvements that have been put in place over recent years.”
The Commission found Sovereign tenants to be happy with home repairs, staff to be polite and professional, and that the association is making headway in the fight against antisocial behaviour.
Chief Executive Ann Santry added: “Of course we still want to keep improving our services to residents, but we should be proud of how well we seem to compare with others. I’m also pleased that so many council partners who spoke to the inspectors said what a positive contribution we make in their area.”
Under the new star-rating regime, Sovereign received two out of a possible three stars, with “excellent” prospects for improvement.
Sovereign provides more than 7,000 homes in the Newbury area, from flats for single people to family homes, and sheltered schemes for older people. | 
