Five councils slammed by regulator for poor housing standards

Five local authorities in England have been reprimanded by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) for lapses in meeting consumer standards.

East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Leicester City Council, North Kesteven District Council and Redditch Borough Council each received a C3 grading, indicating critical shortcomings that demand immediate action to improve tenant living conditions.

Among the issues is that half of East Suffolk’s housing failed to meet the Decent Homes Standard, the RSH found.

The council also struggled to monitor hazards, including damp and mould, effectively.

Issues around health and safety

RSH’s chief of regulatory engagement, Kate Dodsworth, said: “Our programme of proactive inspections, alongside our ongoing responsive engagement, continues to bring issues to light around health and safety, knowing your stock at an individual level, as well as understanding your tenants’ needs.

“These issues outlined in the judgements need to be addressed promptly and we are working intensively with each of the landlords as they put things right for their tenants.”

She added: “Separately, strong governance enables robust board oversight for private registered providers and supports their ability to assess and respond to challenges, make informed decisions and manage risks.”

Ipswich council’s property hazards

The regulator also takes aim at Ipswich Borough Council for its incomplete data on property hazards, undermining compliance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), a key component of the Decent Homes Standard.

The council also lacked thorough information about its tenants’ diverse requirements, hindering tailored service delivery.

Leicester City Council faced criticism for neglecting electrical safety tests in approximately 70% of its homes.

Also, its last comprehensive stock condition survey, carried out in 2009, omitted HHSRS hazard assessments, leaving the council with outdated insights into property conditions.

Issues with fire safety and compliance

North Kesteven District Council fell short of its targets for routine repairs and void property management.

Only one-third of its homes had undergone an HHSRS assessment, exposing a huge gap in safety compliance.

Redditch Borough Council was highlighted for severe delays, with around 2,900 overdue fire safety actions, including 800 high-risk issues pending for more than a year.

The council also reported nearly 3,000 outstanding repairs, further compromising tenant safety.

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