Ellie Ames 16 January 2025

‘Serious failings’ in two councils’ social housing standards

‘Serious failings’ in two councils’ social housing standards image
Image: Clare Louise Jackson / Shutterstock.com

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has identified serious failings following inspections at Newcastle and Nottingham city councils.

Following the Social Housing Regulation Act (2023), the regulator introduced new consumer standards for social housing landlords and began a new inspections regime.

In inspections last year, Newcastle and Nottingham received a C3 grading, highlighting ‘serious failings’ and the need for ‘significant’ improvement.

Newcastle City Council referred itself to the regulator three times in 2024. Social housing in Newcastle was transferred back to the council last July after its wholly owned housing company was decommissioned.

An RSH inspection in October discovered more than 1,800 overdue repairs cases, with more than 1,000 involving damp and mould, and more than 850 fire safety remedial actions.

It also found that it had been over a decade since a stock condition survey had been completed.

Newcastle’s director of housing and communities, Vicky McDermott, said the regulator’s findings were ‘extremely disappointing’ but expected.

She said improvements had been made, including bringing all housing services together in a new directorate; commissioning a stock condition survey; and new ‘Getting to Know You’ visits to council properties.

The RSH’s inspection of Nottingham City Council found almost 1,000 live disrepair cases, and that almost 40% of the authority’s homes had not been surveyed for more than ten years.

The council’s executive member for housing and planning, Jay Hayes, said the authority had been aware it needed to improve housing services after they were transferred back from an arms-length management company in 2023.

He said the council was inspecting all its homes over the next 18 months, employing more skilled tradespeople to tackle outstanding repairs, and developing service standards so residents could hold the authority to account.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Planning Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Durham County Council is looking for experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officers to join our vibrant Development Management team. Our team Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Head of Service – Social Care

Wrexham County Borough Council
G15 £63,148 - £67,058 per annum
There is an exciting opportunity within Children Social Care to join the senior management team Wrexham (Wrecsam)
Recuriter: Wrexham County Borough Council

Head of Service Social Work & Specialist Support

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Grade M scp 60 £72,118 - scp 64 £77,293
There couldn’t be a more exciting time to join us. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Cafe Assistant - Weald Country Park

Essex County Council
Up to £13.3000 per hour
Café Assistant (Weald Country Park)Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner