Northumberland County Council has been issued with a C4 grading following a planned inspection that uncovered ‘very serious failings’.

An inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) found that the council holds up-to-date condition information on only around 3% of its homes.

It also revealed limited evidence that health and safety assessments are accurately recorded, routinely monitored, or that identified actions are completed within appropriate timescales.

The inspector’s report highlighted delays in responding to complaints, a lack of meaningful opportunities for tenants to scrutinise performance and influence services, and serious failings in meeting the outcomes of the tenancy standard.

Kate Dodsworth, chief of regulatory engagement at RSH, said: ‘These failings are unacceptable and the council urgently needs to develop a full understanding of the root causes of these issues and the current risks to tenants.

‘We will engage intensively with the council while they put things right and our priority will be that they ensure that risks to tenants are properly managed and mitigated.’

The regulator noted that the county council has been engaging constructively.

Following publication of the report, council leader Glen Sanderson said: 'Going into the inspection, we were already carrying out a stock condition survey which would give us an up-to-date assessment across all our housing.

'However inspectors want us to go faster on this and I’ve instructed our officers to deliver the plan at pace to ensure all of our stock is surveyed by the end of next year, and we have the right resources in the right place to ensure our health and safety data is fit for the future.'

He added: 'We'll also ensure oversight of our housing service is strengthened as well as learning from our partners in the social housing sector.'