16 September 2025
We’re excited to announce that we have entered talks with Thrive Homes over a potential merger which would create a new customer-focused Community Gateway housing association.
We believe this could significantly strengthen the quality of the services we are able to provide and help us to deliver more affordable housing across the areas we serve.
Boards of both housing associations have approved an outline business case for the proposal, which aims to improve services for residents by combining resources, expertise and operational capacity, to better serve communities and address the growing demand for high-quality social housing.
Together, our two organisations currently own and manage more than 12,000 homes across Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. With shared geography and a commitment to providing quality services for residents, this partnership would build on each organisation’s existing strengths while retaining local knowledge and understanding.
By joining forces, we would:
- Continue working closely with customers to ensure their voices are heard and they remain at the heart of the new organisation’s work
- Enhance customer experience through improved services and added resource
- Increase investment in sustainable housing solutions and energy efficiency initiatives
- Continue to build new homes, making housing more available and affordable to those on lower incomes.
“This is an exciting opportunity to amplify our impact and continue meeting the needs of the people who matter most – our customers,” said Tina Barnard, Chief Executive of Watford Community Housing. “We are already closely aligned in our values and our commitment to delivering for local communities, as well as our geography, so we believe this is a logical step that would allow us to do more for our customers than we can achieve on our own.”
Paul Richmond, Chief Executive of Thrive Homes, added: “By coming together with a shared purpose, we’ll be better equipped to face the challenges of the housing sector whilst continuing to help individuals and families secure a good-quality, safe home that they can afford.”
The merger talks are at an early stage, with consultations planned to involve residents, colleagues and stakeholders. If approved, the formal partnership could be in place by June 2026.
Further updates will be shared as discussions progress. Both organisations remain committed to transparency and engagement throughout the process.
If you would like to know more or be involved in the consultation process, you can:
- Read our customer FAQs below
- Stay informed – keep an eye on our website, sign up for our regular email newsletter, and read our Voice newsletter for updates
- Let us know you would like to be involved in the consultation process – call us on 0800 218 2247 or email merger@wcht.org.uk
Frequently asked questions
What would the proposed merger mean for customers?
If it goes ahead, Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes would come together to form a new organisation with a new name, which would be your landlord.
You would retain all your existing tenancy rights, terms and conditions. If you are a shared owner or leaseholder, the terms of your lease would stay the same.
You would retain all your existing tenancy rights, terms and conditions. If you are a shared owner or leaseholder, the terms of your lease would stay the same.
Will a merger affect the details of my tenancy or lease?
No. If a merger is to happen, you would keep your existing tenancy or lease agreement. There would be no changes to any of the terms of your agreement without your written consent.
Would my rent or service charges be affected?
If the merger goes ahead, your rent and any service charges you pay will be calculated in the same way that they are now.
The new organisation would continue to review rents annually, in line with guidance from the government, so your rent level will not be affected by whether the merger goes ahead or not.
Rent increases for housing associations are based on the September Consumer Price Index (CPI). The government has already confirmed that social housing rents will increase by CPI plus 1% each year over the next ten years (starting from April 2026).
The government is also planning a process of ‘social rent convergence’, which would allow rents to be increased by an additional amount in order to make social housing rent levels more consistent and fair, while remaining well below market rates. Again, this would apply to social housing tenants across the country, and it will apply to customers of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes regardless of whether the merger goes ahead.
Service charges would continue to be reviewed every year too. Your service charge covers the direct cost of services you receive and this would not change. You would get a breakdown of your service charge along with your rent letter just as you do now.
The new organisation would continue to review rents annually, in line with guidance from the government, so your rent level will not be affected by whether the merger goes ahead or not.
Rent increases for housing associations are based on the September Consumer Price Index (CPI). The government has already confirmed that social housing rents will increase by CPI plus 1% each year over the next ten years (starting from April 2026).
The government is also planning a process of ‘social rent convergence’, which would allow rents to be increased by an additional amount in order to make social housing rent levels more consistent and fair, while remaining well below market rates. Again, this would apply to social housing tenants across the country, and it will apply to customers of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes regardless of whether the merger goes ahead.
Service charges would continue to be reviewed every year too. Your service charge covers the direct cost of services you receive and this would not change. You would get a breakdown of your service charge along with your rent letter just as you do now.
Will I need to change how I make my rent payments?
Nothing is changing immediately, so you should continue to pay your rent to Watford Community Housing as normal.
If the merger goes ahead, you would be able to pay in the same way you do now. We would tell you nearer the time about any changes you need to make to the payee’s details.
If the merger goes ahead, you would be able to pay in the same way you do now. We would tell you nearer the time about any changes you need to make to the payee’s details.
Why is this being proposed?
We believe that a single, larger organisation would be able to achieve operating efficiencies and greater financial resilience. This would mean that we can deliver more, improve our services and ensure the long-term stability of our business – providing a more secure future for our customers.
The new organisation would have more than 12,000 homes in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. With shared geography and a commitment to providing quality services for residents, this partnership would build on each organisation’s existing strengths while retaining local knowledge and understanding.
Our focus is on doing what is right for customers of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes, and people in the local area. The proposed merger will only go ahead if we are confident that it will be in the best interest of customers.
The new organisation would have more than 12,000 homes in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. With shared geography and a commitment to providing quality services for residents, this partnership would build on each organisation’s existing strengths while retaining local knowledge and understanding.
Our focus is on doing what is right for customers of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes, and people in the local area. The proposed merger will only go ahead if we are confident that it will be in the best interest of customers.
Why did we choose Thrive Homes?
We believe that Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes are a natural fit for a partnership as we have a lot in common, including where our homes are.
Both organisations are similar in size and age, and we have a similar history as we were created through large-scale voluntary transfers from local authorities just under 20 years ago.
We also operate in neighbouring areas with significant overlap. While our homes are in Hertfordshire and North London, Thrive has homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
We also share similar values, and these would remain central to the new organisation. We believe in the importance of being rooted in our local communities, delivering excellent services and working closely with residents.
Because we have so much in common, this would be a merger between two equal partners, to create a new organisation that can do more.
Both organisations are similar in size and age, and we have a similar history as we were created through large-scale voluntary transfers from local authorities just under 20 years ago.
We also operate in neighbouring areas with significant overlap. While our homes are in Hertfordshire and North London, Thrive has homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
We also share similar values, and these would remain central to the new organisation. We believe in the importance of being rooted in our local communities, delivering excellent services and working closely with residents.
Because we have so much in common, this would be a merger between two equal partners, to create a new organisation that can do more.
What are the benefits of the proposed merger?
We believe that joining forces could allow us to:
- enhance the customer experience through improved services and added resource
- increase investment in existing homes, sustainable housing solutions and energy efficiency initiatives
- spend more on community development projects and improvements to neighbourhoods
- continue to build new homes, making housing more available and affordable to those on lower incomes
Are there any disadvantages or risks? And how will they be managed?
We believe that we will be able to deliver more for our customers and communities by joining together as a single, larger organisation.
As part of our discussions about whether to go ahead, we will be carrying out a process known as due diligence to make sure that the merger would be beneficial to customers, and any associated risks are considered and managed carefully.
In the short term, the process of bringing the two organisations together could delay some of the work we do to make improvements for residents. However, we will ensure that we continue to deliver good-quality services during this period, so it is business as usual. This will include any planned works, which will carry on as expected.
In the longer term, we are confident that the partnership would help us to do more to enhance services and deliver lasting improvements.
As part of our discussions about whether to go ahead, we will be carrying out a process known as due diligence to make sure that the merger would be beneficial to customers, and any associated risks are considered and managed carefully.
In the short term, the process of bringing the two organisations together could delay some of the work we do to make improvements for residents. However, we will ensure that we continue to deliver good-quality services during this period, so it is business as usual. This will include any planned works, which will carry on as expected.
In the longer term, we are confident that the partnership would help us to do more to enhance services and deliver lasting improvements.
Will we be consulting residents?
We will be holding a formal consultation with residents to explain the potential benefits of a merger and give you an opportunity to ask questions and raise any concerns.
Through this consultation, you will have the chance to share your views and influence the final decision about whether the merger goes ahead. The Boards of both organisations will take into account the feedback from the consultation when deciding whether to approve the merger.
Through this consultation, you will have the chance to share your views and influence the final decision about whether the merger goes ahead. The Boards of both organisations will take into account the feedback from the consultation when deciding whether to approve the merger.
Will there be any changes to the services I receive?
There won’t be any immediate changes to your services. You should continue to contact us as usual to request repairs or support, or to raise issues or concerns.
If the merger goes ahead, you will still have access to the full range of services you have now and it will allow us to invest more in your services, including making improvements to homes and investing in our communities.
If the merger goes ahead, you will still have access to the full range of services you have now and it will allow us to invest more in your services, including making improvements to homes and investing in our communities.
What does it mean to be a Community Gateway housing association?
To ensure that customers are at the heart of the new organisation’s decision-making, it would be a Community Gateway housing association.
Watford Community Housing is already a Community Gateway organisation, which means that residents can get involved with how the organisation is run, and help make decisions about what we do and the services we provide.
Under the gateway model, more power is devolved to residents. This is written into the terms of the organisation’s constitution, giving residents a strong voice and empowering them to influence decisions about their homes and services.
Watford Community Housing is already a Community Gateway organisation, which means that residents can get involved with how the organisation is run, and help make decisions about what we do and the services we provide.
Under the gateway model, more power is devolved to residents. This is written into the terms of the organisation’s constitution, giving residents a strong voice and empowering them to influence decisions about their homes and services.
Would the way I contact you change?
No, you will still be able to contact us in the same ways you do now.
If the merger goes ahead, email addresses and telephone numbers may be changed, but we would let you know in advance about any changes that are planned.
If the merger goes ahead, email addresses and telephone numbers may be changed, but we would let you know in advance about any changes that are planned.
Would I still have the right to buy/right to acquire?
If you already have the right to buy or acquire, you would not lose that right. You would continue to be able to exercise the right in the same way as you can now.
Would the merger affect my place on the housing list?
No. The local housing registers are managed by the relevant local authority, so this will not impact your position on the housing waiting list.
Would I be able to do a mutual exchange with Thrive Homes customers?
Yes. Mutual exchanges can happen with any social landlord or local authority across the country, so the proposed merger would not affect your options.
Will we keep our focus on the local area?
Yes, local knowledge is very important to both Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes. We already operate over neighbouring areas with significant crossover, so our shared geography ensures that a new organisation would retain our local focus and our understanding of the areas we serve.
As a larger single housing association covering these areas, we would be well placed to build on our strong track record of partnership working with other local organisations to meet the needs of our communities.
The new organisation would also retain our existing commitment to investing in projects and initiatives in our local areas.
As a larger single housing association covering these areas, we would be well placed to build on our strong track record of partnership working with other local organisations to meet the needs of our communities.
The new organisation would also retain our existing commitment to investing in projects and initiatives in our local areas.
What would the new organisation be called?
At present, we are only in the early stages of discussions, so nothing has been decided.
If the merger goes ahead, we will give residents the opportunity to share views and get involved with decisions such as the name and branding of the new organisation.
We are committed to keeping you informed, so we will provide updates on key decisions as soon as we are able to.
If the merger goes ahead, we will give residents the opportunity to share views and get involved with decisions such as the name and branding of the new organisation.
We are committed to keeping you informed, so we will provide updates on key decisions as soon as we are able to.
What has happened so far?
We are still at the early stages of talks. So far, the Boards of both organisations have approved an outline business case for the proposal so that formal discussions can take place to explore a potential merger further.
What will happen next?
We will now begin formal discussions over the potential merger, including a period of due diligence and consultation with customers, employees and stakeholders.
Following this period, the Boards of both organisations will make the final decision on whether to go ahead with the merger. We would expect this decision to be made by April 2026.
We are committed to transparency and engagement throughout the process, so we will provide more information and updates as our discussions progress.
Following this period, the Boards of both organisations will make the final decision on whether to go ahead with the merger. We would expect this decision to be made by April 2026.
We are committed to transparency and engagement throughout the process, so we will provide more information and updates as our discussions progress.
If the merger goes ahead, when would it take effect?
We currently anticipate that a formal partnership could be in place by June 2026. This would be when we legally become one organisation.
There would then be a period of time to integrate our services to function as a single organisation. We would expect this to take around 12-18 months.
There would then be a period of time to integrate our services to function as a single organisation. We would expect this to take around 12-18 months.
How will this affect Watford Community Housing employees?
There won’t be any changes in the short term, so the people you usually speak to will stay the same.
The main aim of the proposed merger is to create an organisation that can do more for customers, so we would be looking to ensure that the new organisation has the right people to deliver for our communities.
As part of the merger talks, we will initially be working to agree the potential new organisation’s Board, Executive Team and Leadership Team, to ensure we have the best possible people to deliver for customers of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes.
We will provide updates when we make any appointments.
The main aim of the proposed merger is to create an organisation that can do more for customers, so we would be looking to ensure that the new organisation has the right people to deliver for our communities.
As part of the merger talks, we will initially be working to agree the potential new organisation’s Board, Executive Team and Leadership Team, to ensure we have the best possible people to deliver for customers of Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes.
We will provide updates when we make any appointments.
Who should I speak to if I have questions?
If you have questions or would like to speak to us about the proposed merger, please get in touch:
- Call 0800 218 2247
- Email merger@wcht.org.uk