Almost certainly not, but I think you need to check whether the local society that you are dealing with is registered with the Housing Corporation. Here is a list of registered Abbeyfield societies:
[url]http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1344[/url]
Only registered housing associations are excluded from RO referral. A slight complication here is that they don’t use the term “housing association” in their society names, but legally I think they meet the definition of housing association and so as long as they are on the register they should be OK.
[i:05c8808eb7]”A society, body of trustees or company that provides, manages, improves or constructs housing and does not trade for profit”[/i:05c8808eb7] – s1, Housing Associations Act 1985
I think housing association is a legal status rather than something determined by the organisation’s chosen name.