Agenda item

To update the Committee on actions to ensure regulatory compliance of the Council’s social housing landlord function following the non-compliance notice issued by the Regulator of Social Housing.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning introduced the report which updated the Committee on actions to ensure regulatory compliance of the Council’s social housing landlord function following the non-compliance notice issued by the Regulator of Social Housing which was lifted in October 2023.

The Council’s compliant position was now better than a lot of other authorities within the Country.

Reference was made to the red areas (lifts and gas) and paragraph 3.1.6 in respect of lifts.  It was confirmed that since the report had been compiled the inspections had been carried out and the certificates had been issued for the lifts which were now at 100% as were Fire Risk Assessments, Asbestos and Smoke and CO₂ alarms.

In respect of gas checks there were currently a small minority of cases where access to the properties had presented a challenge and court action was being taken to address this.  Regular updates would continue to be brought to the Committee and the next one would come to the March meeting of the Committee.

The Chief Executive stated that the scrutiny around the figures was critical and she met with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and the Leader of the Council every month to look at the figures before they came before the Committee for scrutiny.  The Chief Executive made reference to recent lift certifications but stated that there were still problems with one of the lifts which had necessitated the requirement of new parts which were on order.

In respect of the gas checks there were still 50 outstanding, but the courts had a ceiling to the number of court orders to gain access to properties which was 20 per month, the orders had been going through Lincoln Court but were now going through Boston Court.  Meetings were being held with the Cabinet Member to discuss more extreme action, once the cold period had passed.  Where gas servicing was done externally the Council could look at capping the gas off to force the tenant to allow the Council access to service the gas appliances including boilers within the house. 

The Chairman indicated that she was impressed with the figures before the Committee but dismayed that tenants would not allow access to have their gas appliances serviced. 

Other Members echoed the comments made and asked for clarity in respect of the difference in figures between gas and electricity which was down to the tolerance given to each.  A comment was also made about those with mental health issues and allowing access to properties.  It was stated that the Housing Compliance Team did review the individual profile of tenants and worked with Social Services were there were vulnerable tenants involved.

The Interim Head of Technical Services stated that a new gas contract would be in place from 1 April 2024 and that working together between all the relevant teams would be a lot more seamless.

Further concern was expressed in respect of vulnerable tenants and whether they should have gas appliances.  It was stated that gas supplies were legislated and that if people smelled gas, they should report it immediately to the National Gas Emergency Service.

Further discussion followed in respect of getting access to properties and the safety of tenants and who was responsible in respect of gas leaks.  It was reiterated that the Council was doing all that it could to gain access to properties to service all necessary appliances.  The responsibility for cost and gas leaks was between the tenant and the gas supplier.

Members noted the report.