Regulator of Social Housing finds very serious failings at Tandridge District Council
The Regulator of Social Housing has issued a C4 grading to Tandrige District Countil.
The Regulator of Social Housing has today (Wednesday 17 September) issued a C4 grading to Tandridge District Council, after a planned inspection found fundamental changes were needed to address very serious failings.
During an inspection, RSH found the council:
- Had over 1,000 overdue fire risk assessment remedial actions.
- Had nearly 400 homes without an electrical safety condition check.
- Does not hold records from when stock condition surveys were last undertaken in 2016.
- Had significant issues with the quality and accuracy of the repairs performance information.
- Does not have an accurate understanding of the diverse needs of its tenants and could not evidence that its services are accessible.
- Could not provide sufficient evidence that it was working to deter and tackle hate incidents in its neighbourhoods.
Tandridge DC has been engaging constructively and self-referred the electrical safety issue to RSH before the inspection. It has made progress in addressing the outstanding checks, but further work is required by Tandridge DC to ensure that it holds accurate information.
RSH is not proposing to use its enforcement powers at this stage but will keep this under review as Tandridge DC seeks to resolve these issues.
Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said:
We cannot accept tenants’ safety and wellbeing being put at risk and we will be engaging intensively with the council as it puts things right.
We expect the council to urgently develop a comprehensive improvement plan that recognises the scale and breadth of the issues, and that drives fundamental change across all the areas identified. This should be shared with tenants.
Landlords must continue to self-refer if they find a material issue.
RSH is carrying out planned inspections of all large social landlords (those with 1,000 homes or more) over a four-year cycle.
Notes to editors
- On 1 April 2024 RSH introduced new consumer standards for social housing landlords, designed to drive long-term improvements in the sector. It also began a programme of landlord inspections. The changes are a result of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 and include stronger powers to hold landlords to account. More information about RSH’s approach is available in its document Reshaping Consumer Regulation.
- More information about RSH’s responsive engagement, programmed inspections and consumer gradings is also available on its website.
- RSH promotes a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver more and better social homes. It does this by setting standards and carrying out robust regulation focusing on driving improvement in social landlords, including local authorities, and ensuring that housing associations are well-governed, financially viable and offer value for money. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.
- For media enquiries please contact philippa.ushersomers@rsh.gov.uk or christian.cosby@rsh.gov.uk