Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing presented the regular housing compliance report which gave the status of the compliance figures in relation to the Council’s landlord function. Legionella, asbestos, fire risk assessment and lift inspections remained at 100%.

Damp and mould inspections had increased to 60.53% and electric inspections had increased to 94.62%.  Gas safety inspections were at 99.22% however, there had been an increase in the access refusal rate to properties in February with contractors unable to access properties to replace central heating boilers in some cases.  It was proposed to place an article in Skyline highlighting the need to access properties to enable gas and electric safety certification to be carried out.

It had been 18 months since the Council had been released from being under the Regulator for Social Housing.  Figures for all the areas were now  standardised and monthly meetings continued to be held between the Leader, the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Chief Executive and the Director of Housing and Projects. The Cabinet Member for Housing asked if the Committee would be happy to receive six monthly reports going forward.

Members discussed the suggestion and it was proposed that as long as each area didn’t fall below 3%, Members were happy to receive six monthly updates.  Further discussion followed with reference being made to damp and mould reporting.  The Director of Housing and Projects stated the Committee had agreed to receive regular KPI data for the whole service which could include damp and mould figures.

One Member referred to vulnerable tenants and access to properties and possible disruption which could be a reason to deny access to properties.  It was stated that Officers, wherever possible, took into consideration those tenants with vulnerabilities and complex mental health issues and tried to work with tenants to support them so that they were aware of any impacts.

One Member gave an example where contractors had turned up at the wrong house on the wrong date and therefore were unable to access a property and felt that checks should be made to ensure the correct house/date are known.

The Health, Safety and Compliance Manager stated that safeguard controls were always in place and in respect of gas inspections tenants could choose the date and time but tenants still failed to make the appointments.

Further discussion followed in respect of disruption due to works being carried out particularly in respect of air heat pumps and also whether Ward Members could help when there were issues raised.

One Member asked about the tenancy agreement and access to a property and maybe the Council needed to be more assertive.    Officers stated that in respect of gas inspections, tenants had the chance to make three appointments and they also had tenancy support.  It was confirmed that access to properties was part of a tenancy agreement and failure to allow officers access was a breach of that agreement.

The Chairman clarified the proposal before Members which was for the Committee to receive an update on housing compliance figures every six months subject to no particular area failing by 3% compliance.  It was noted that for some areas such as lift inspections which involved 13 lifts, a lift inspection failure would make the percentage 68% which was more than the 3% proposed.  It was suggested that in these cases an email was sent to the Chairman with an explanation and he would forward it on to the Committee.

The proposal to receive an update every six months subject to no particular area failing by 3% compliance was proposed, seconded and AGREED.

Ø Action

The Committee to receive an update on the Housing Compliance Figures every six months going forward subject to no area failing by an increase of 3%.

Members noted the report.