A C4 grading has been issue to Tandridge District Council (TDC) following a Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) inspection
Several social housing failures were found by the RSH, and TDC are now working to address these issues.
As a result, RSH are not using their enforcement powers currently, and are keeping the case under review.
The issues found include:
- Over 1,000 overdue fire risk assessment remedial actions.
- Nearly 400 homes without an electrical safety condition check.
- Lack of records from when stock condition surveys were last undertaken in 2016.
- Significant issues with the quality and accuracy of the repairs performance information.
- Lack of accurate understanding of the diverse needs of its tenants and could not evidence that its services are accessible.
- Being unable to provide sufficient evidence that it was working to deter and tackle hate incidents in its neighbourhoods.
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.”
The government is heavily investing in social housing
In March, chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves announced an investment of £2bn into both social and affordable housing, funding up to 18,000 new homes.
Reeves said: “We are fixing the housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Today’s announcement will help drive growth through our Plan for Change by delivering up to 18,000 new homes, as well as jobs and opportunities, getting more money into working people’s pockets.”
This investment followed on from a top-up of £350m for the Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund announced by then-deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner.
Rayner said: “For so many families, and their children, the security and safety of a home of their own remains firmly out of reach – and instead they have to live in temporary accommodation, including in B&Bs.
“This is unacceptable and is the result of the housing crisis we are facing head on. That’s why we’re driving forward on our plans to ensure a better future for everyone who needs a safe home, building on our plans to drive up living standards and build 1.5 million homes through our Plan for Change.”
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