The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has revealed that Harlow District Council has failed to meet newly introduced consumer standards.
Following an investigation, RSH uncovered serious fire safety failings, prompting immediate scrutiny and a call for urgent corrective action. The findings highlight broader issues in social housing governance.
Harlow Council’s Fire Safety Failings
In a recent report, the Regulator of Social Housing found that Harlow District Council had completed only 20% of the required fire risk assessments for its 9,100 social housing properties.
This shocking oversight left over 500 high-risk fire safety actions overdue, with an additional 1,500 medium-risk actions outstanding. Many of these safety issues have been unresolved for more than a year, putting tenants at considerable risk.
Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, commented,
“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.”
Why the RSH is Taking Action
The RSH’s involvement stems from its broader responsibility to ensure social housing landlords comply with regulations that safeguard tenants. The council’s poor performance was brought to light following a review of its Tenant Satisfaction Measure (TSM) results.
These measures are designed to assess the overall safety, quality, and governance of social housing providers.
The failings have led to the RSH assigning Harlow Council a Consumer Standard grade of C3, indicating significant issues.
The council has since employed an external consultant to develop an improvement plan and has committed to addressing the backlog of fire safety assessments, starting with the most urgent cases. However, the RSH continues to monitor the council closely to ensure it reduces risks to tenants promptly.
Broader Implications for Social Housing
Harlow District Council is not the only social housing provider facing scrutiny. In the same round of regulatory judgements, several other landlords were assessed for their governance, financial viability, and adherence to consumer standards.
The findings show a mixed picture of compliance across the sector.
Here is a summary of the recent RSH gradings:
Provider |
Governance |
Viability |
Consumer |
Engagement Process |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saxon Weald | G1 | V2 | C2 | Programmed inspection | Governance and viability unchanged; consumer standard weaknesses |
| Great Places Housing Group | G1 | V2 | C2 | Programmed inspection | Same as Saxon Weald |
| Calico Homes | G2 | V2 | C2 | Programmed inspection | Slight governance concerns |
| Bolton at Home | G2 | V2 | C2 | Programmed inspection | Similar issues identified as above |
| Legal and General Affordable Homes | G1* | V1* | N/A | Stability check | Focus on financial viability for for-profit landlords |
This table underscores the ongoing challenges social housing providers face in meeting governance and consumer standards.
While some landlords continue to maintain strong financial viability, others—like Harlow Council—struggle with operational issues that directly impact tenant safety and satisfaction.
The Importance of Strong Governance in Social Housing
The RSH has made it clear that social landlords must not only meet financial and governance standards but also ensure the delivery of high-quality services to tenants.
As seen with Harlow District Council, failing to adhere to fire safety regulations can have dire consequences. Governance issues, like incomplete risk assessments, are precisely what the RSH’s new consumer standards aim to tackle.
Introduced on 1 April 2024, these standards are part of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023. The new rules give the RSH greater power to hold landlords accountable, focusing on tenant welfare and safety.
The RSH’s more proactive approach is designed to identify potential issues earlier, ensuring that housing providers address problems before they escalate.
What’s Next for Harlow Council?
With the RSH closely monitoring its progress, Harlow District Council must now demonstrate swift improvements in its fire safety measures. The council’s new improvement plan, guided by external consultancy, promises to complete the overdue fire risk assessments.
Nonetheless, the council’s ability to restore trust will depend on the speed and effectiveness of its corrective actions.
As the RSH continues to expand its oversight, tenants across the UK can expect better protection and greater accountability from their landlords. The Harlow case serves as a reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance, particularly when it comes to the safety and well-being of social housing residents.
In the words of Kate Dodsworth,
“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.”
Sources: THX News & Regulator of Social Housing.
