Regulator of Social Housing finds ‘Very Serious Failings’ at Northumberland Council

The Regulator of Social Housing has issued a C4 grading to Northumberland County Council, after a planned inspection found ‘very serious failings’.

The RSH inspection found:

• The council only has up to date information on the condition of around 3% of its homes.
• Limited evidence that health and safety assessments are accurately recorded or routinely monitored, or that actions are being addressed within appropriate timescales.
• The council does not respond to all complaints in a timely way.
• A lack of meaningful opportunities for tenants to scrutinise performance and influence services.
• Serious failings in meeting the outcomes of the tenancy standard.
• Northumberland CC has been engaging constructively with RSH. It now needs to develop a comprehensive improvement plan urgently and share it with tenants.

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.”

Social Landlord Inspections

RSH is carrying out planned inspections of all large social landlords (those with 1,000 homes or more) over a 4-year cycle.

The C4 grading of Northumberland Council means RSH’s engagement is ongoing. The organisation will inform tenants that they have serious concerns about the standards NCC is reaching as a landlord, which they are investigating.

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