The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has assigned a C3 consumer grade to Bury Metropolitan Borough Council, highlighting significant deficiencies in areas such as health and safety, tenant engagement, and the provision of service performance information.
During a recent inspection, RSH discovered a lack of substantial opportunities for tenants to effectively scrutinise their landlord’s performance or to influence the delivery of services. This finding underscores the urgent need for Bury MBC to enhance the accessibility and clarity of information regarding landlord services and their performance metrics.
Moreover, the council failed to comply with the technical and survey requirements of the Tenant Satisfaction Measures. There were also concerns regarding the accuracy of the health and safety compliance data provided by Bury MBC, raising questions about the safety of tenants’ homes.
Concerns Over Repairs and Tenant Services
The inspection revealed several weaknesses in Bury MBC’s repairs service, particularly in relation to adhering to legal timeframes for investigating and remedying hazards such as damp and mould. The local authority’s approach to managing anti-social behaviour and hate incidents, as well as its understanding of and responsiveness to the diverse needs of tenants, were also found lacking. Although improvements are underway, Bury MBC has yet to demonstrate that these changes have consistently resulted in enhanced outcomes for tenants.
On a positive note, RSH acknowledged that Bury MBC has made progress in reducing its backlog of overdue repairs and is actively working to improve the quality of its data. Further enhancements to services are also planned. The council has been cooperative with RSH, which will maintain close engagement as Bury MBC tackles these challenges and implements necessary improvements.
Insights from RSH Leadership
Kate Dodsworth, Deputy Chief Executive of RSH, emphasised the importance of allowing tenants to meaningfully scrutinise their landlords’ performance. She stated, “Landlords must listen attentively to tenant feedback and act on it to enhance their services. Accurate health and safety information is essential to ensure the safety of tenants’ homes, and prompt repairs are critical.”
In addition to the consumer grade assessment for Bury MBC, RSH released stability checks for 19 other landlords, including Peabody Trust, Sanctuary Housing Association, The Guinness Partnership, Southern Housing, and Hyde Housing Association Limited. These stability checks assess a landlord’s financial position, business plan, and risk profile, determining the appropriateness of their financial viability grading.
Focus on Financial Viability
RSH has altered its assessment process, which now solely focuses on financial viability without reviewing governance gradings. Dodsworth remarked, “A robust financial foundation is pivotal for landlords. Stability checks play a crucial role in our oversight, ensuring that landlords maintain financial viability and can effectively serve both current and future tenants.”
On 1 April 2024, RSH will implement revised consumer standards for social housing landlords, aimed at fostering long-term improvements within the sector. This initiative is part of a broader programme of landlord inspections and stems from the newly enacted Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, which grants RSH stronger powers to hold landlords accountable.
For small landlords managing fewer than 1,000 homes, RSH does not assign grades and only publishes regulatory judgments in cases of serious deficiencies in the delivery of the standards. The RSH is committed to promoting a viable, efficient, and well-governed social housing sector, ensuring that local authorities and housing associations are financially sound and provide value for money.
RSH publishes gradings for consumer, governance, and viability, with local authorities receiving only consumer gradings.