Council’s fire safety failures lead to regulatory action

Council’s fire safety failures lead to regulatory action

0:02 AM, 27th September 2024, About A week ago 2

Text Size

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has published a set of regulatory judgements which includes a serious finding against Harlow District Council for failing to meet the new consumer standards.

As a result, the RSH has given the landlord a C3 grade, indicating serious failings and a need for significant improvements.

RSH investigated Harlow Council after reviewing its Tenant Satisfaction Measure (TSM) results. The regulator concluded that the council had:

  • Carried out fire risk assessments for only 20% of its 9,100 social housing homes
  • More than 500 high-risk fire safety remedial actions are overdue
  • A further 1,500 medium-risk actions are overdue – many of which are more than 12 months overdue.

‘Failed to meet fire safety requirements’

Kate Dodsworth, the chief of regulatory engagement at RSH, said: “It is unacceptable that Harlow Council has failed to meet fire safety requirements.

“Providing safe, decent homes for tenants begins with robust data, and this must include fire risk assessments for every home that needs one.”

She adds: “Our new proactive approach and expanded consumer remit is helping to bring issues to the surface earlier.

“We expect all providers to regularly review and evaluate their services to improve outcomes for tenants.”

Harlow Council has employed an external consultant to develop a detailed improvement plan as a priority, and RSH will be engaging with the landlord as it addresses these failings.

Ongoing regulatory activity

The RSH has also published a range of other judgements resulting from its ongoing regulatory activity, including seven programmed inspections and its first stability check for a for-profit provider.

Governance and financial viability remain cornerstones of RSH’s regulation of housing associations and other private registered providers.

Of the other social housing providers, the RSH has downgraded over governance concerns Calico Homes, Bolton at Home and Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association Limited.


Share This Article


Comments

havens havens

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

14:12 PM, 27th September 2024, About A week ago

I’m really concerned about the findings against Harlow District Council. It’s alarming that so many homes are missing crucial fire safety checks, which puts tenants at serious risk. As a landlord myself, I know how important it is to prioritize tenant safety. The Regulator of Social Housing is right to demand accountability and improvements here. While it's good to hear Harlow is working on a plan, they need to act fast to address these issues and ensure residents feel safe in their homes. Safety shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should always come first.

GlanACC

Become a Member

If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!

Sign Up

11:17 AM, 29th September 2024, About A week ago

Funny how social housing landlords and councils seem to escape fines.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Automated Assistant Read More