A BASINGSTOKE housing association has merged with another landlord to become one of the largest providers in the country. 

Basingstoke-based housing association Sovereign officially merged with the charitable housing association Network Homes on Sunday, October 1 to create SNG (Sovereign Network Group), which is now responsible for 82,000 homes. 

SNG is now one of the largest housing associations in the country serving more than 210,000 residents across London and the South of England.

However, SNG said customers can expect to see little immediate change following the merger, with customers able to report repairs and request services in the same way they already do. 

The two companies will continue to cover the same geographical areas they managed prior to the merger. 

READ MORE: Basingstoke shops sell vapes to underage teen in Gazette investigation

Mark Washer, CEO of SNG, formerly chief executive of Sovereign, said: “This is an important moment for SNG, but we are now absolutely focused on delivering the benefits for our customers, and future customers.

“Our combined strength gives us the opportunity to remain ambitious in our plans to create more homes, and more sustainable homes that people can love living in over many generations.

"This commitment to our environment and enabling wider social success within our communities is built into SNG from the very start.”

Even when services are fully integrated, SNG will continue to be locally responsive and deliver services in response to the requirements of different residents, homes and places.

SEE ALSO: North Hampshire people win awards for 'making a difference' to wildlife

The merger was first announced on March 13. Both boards approved proceeding with the merger at their respective meetings following an extensive due diligence exercise, customer consultation at both Sovereign and Network Homes, and engagement activities with colleagues.

The new organisation will establish a new community foundation to invest £100m in the communities where it has homes. 

It will also adopt Sovereign's 'homes and place sustainability and wellbeing standard' that was co-created with customers, marking the company's commitment to building and maintaining good quality homes and better places to live. 

For more information on SNG visit sng.org.uk