Council criticised for serious failings over tenant safety
12:01 AM, 23rd September 2025, 7 months ago
8
Categories:
A council has come under fire from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) after failing to carry out electrical safety checks on more than 400 of its own housing stock.
Tandridge District Council in Surrey claims they are “disappointed but accept the findings” after being given a C4 grading for very serious failings.
According to the RSH report, the council also had more than 1,000 overdue fire risk assessment remedial actions and lacked records showing when stock condition surveys were last carried out, which was in 2016.
We cannot accept tenants’ safety and wellbeing being put at risk
The RSH report also reveals the council had significant issues with the quality and accuracy of its repairs performance information, and does not have an accurate understanding of the diverse needs of its tenants, and could not evidence that its services are accessible.
The RSH criticised Tandridge District Council for putting tenants’ safety at risk and wants them to deliver an improvement plan.
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.
“Social housing landlords must continue to self-refer if they find a material issue.”
Reassure our tenants their safety and the quality of their home is our priority
Tandridge District Council claim they are already setting up an improvement team to deliver an improvement plan and will take a more proactive approach to responsive repairs.
Councillor Jeremy Pursehouse, Chairman of the Housing Committee, said: “We are disappointed to have been given this grading, but accept the findings. We identified some areas for improvement before the inspection, but are developing a more detailed improvement plan. Our housing service is already working hard to deliver the actions and I continue to have the utmost faith in our officers.
“I would like to reassure our tenants their safety and the quality of their home is our priority and we will be working hard to ensure we have the right policies and procedures in place.”
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Previous Article
Lenders reduce rates and launch new buy to let deals
Member Since February 2018 - Comments: 627
10:48 AM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
I can feel Jeremy Pursehouse quaking in his boots. How would a private landlord be treated for such failings?
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 33
1:03 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Again one rule for them and another for private landlords.
They should be fined on each breech on every separate house, they may then realize that their officers aren’t that good.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 33
1:11 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Given that councils appear to be the main culprits in not maintenance of their properties. If their housing officers were paid on results rather than dogma and quotas things may improve but I doubt it.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2002 - Articles: 21
1:43 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by John Curtis at 23/09/2025 – 13:03
“They” being the individuals responsible. If you fine the Council they either put up Council Tax or cut back on services and the useless employees carry on regardless or find another public sector job.
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 71
1:44 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
Be interesting to know if this Council has fined any PRS Landlords for similar offences.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 97
5:19 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
I think that the social houses are in such a state is because the officers are concentrating on checking fining private landlords.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 193
6:39 PM, 23rd September 2025, About 7 months ago
So the Fine for a Private Landlord not having an EICR is currently £30,000 which is set to be Increased to £40,000 from the 1st of November !
Now with my poor maths £40,000 X 400 properties is over £16,000,000
One very Bankrupt Council and hundreds of Tenants still living in un safe homes.
You could not make this up !
I am willing to Bet £500 to Shelter that they have failed to carry out Gas Safe Checks every year as well
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 7
8:59 AM, 27th September 2025, About 7 months ago
maybe the tenants should sue the council .
No win no fee