Significant Failures Identified in Haringey Council’s Housing Services
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has issued a grave warning to Haringey London Borough Council, insisting that substantial changes are necessary to enhance the outcomes for its tenants. Following an inspection, the council has been assigned a C4 consumer grade, highlighting serious deficiencies within its housing management practices.
Despite the council’s expressed intention to rectify these issues and some actions taken thus far, RSH has yet to observe adequate evidence that Haringey understands the risks posed to tenants or is equipped to address the identified shortcomings effectively. Key concerns include:
- A considerable backlog of overdue repairs, particularly concerning damp and mould issues, alongside low tenant satisfaction levels.
- Only approximately 50% of non-emergency repairs were completed on schedule during the 2025/26 period.
- Despite ongoing improvement initiatives over several years, outcomes remain unsatisfactory, with tenants frequently facing delays, missed appointments, and breakdowns in communication.
- Nearly 4,000 overdue fire safety actions, including over 1,400 classified as high-risk, remain unaddressed.
- Ineffectiveness in providing prompt responses to complaints and a lack of demonstrable learning from these incidents.
- A failure to notify RSH of significant emerging issues.
Kate Dodsworth, Deputy Chief Executive of RSH, remarked, “Receiving a C4 judgement is a clear indication that tenants have been let down, necessitating urgent and sustained improvements. Our engagement will be intensive, with close oversight to ensure that clear expectations for improvement are established, and if required, we will exercise our powers to enforce change.”
Other Local Authorities Face Scrutiny
In a broader assessment, two additional local authorities have received a C3 consumer grade following RSH evaluations. Tamworth Borough Council in Staffordshire has been flagged for serious inadequacies in adhering to regulatory standards, particularly concerning health and safety assessments. The council has failed to demonstrate that all necessary actions are executed within suitable timeframes.
Concerns were raised over the council’s reporting of hazards, which lacked sufficient detail regarding the number of overdue issues and the promptness of remedial actions. Additionally, there was limited evidence of tenant involvement in scrutinising the council’s performance or influencing service delivery. Nevertheless, Tamworth has engaged positively with RSH throughout the inspection process, actively working to enhance its understanding of tenants’ living conditions and refining its repair procedures.
Meanwhile, Woking Borough Council in Surrey has also encountered significant regulatory concerns. The council has been found lacking in its management of overdue fire, water, and asbestos remedial actions. There is an evident need for improvement in its disrepair reporting processes and communication with tenants regarding these matters.
Despite these serious failings, Woking is largely compliant with health and safety obligations and repair targets. The council has maintained constructive engagement with RSH throughout the inspection and is currently working to rectify the identified issues.
Positive Developments Among Other Landlords
In contrast to the challenges faced by Haringey, Tamworth, and Woking, two landlords—Irwell Valley Housing Association in Greater Manchester and The Pioneer Housing and Community Group Limited based in Birmingham—have received a commendable C1 grading following their inspections. Additionally, three landlords, namely Karbon Homes Limited in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, South Holland District Council in Lincolnshire, and Tuntum Housing Association Limited in Nottingham, have achieved upgrades to a C1 consumer grade.
Home Group Limited, also based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, received a C2 for its inaugural consumer grading, along with a G2 downgrade. RSH highlighted the need for improved board reporting to facilitate effective oversight of consumer and compliance risks, alongside a strengthened board oversight of assurance findings.
The Housing Plus Group and Trent and Dove Housing Limited, both situated in Staffordshire, also obtained a C2 rating for their initial consumer assessments, while maintaining unchanged G1/V2 grades. Furthermore, ReSi Homes Group has received its first gradings of C2, G2, and V1 following inspection, with the for-profit landlord managing around 1,400 shared ownership homes across various regions, primarily in the south-west, south-east, and London.
Financial Viability Assessments Underway
The RSH has also released the initial stability checks of the year, which comprise an annual review of landlords’ financial information, business plans, and risk profiles. This assessment aims to determine the appropriateness of financial viability gradings.
Among those evaluated is G15 landlord Notting Hill Genesis (NHG), which currently holds C3, G3, and V2 grades. RSH is actively engaging with NHG to ensure the necessary improvements are being implemented while closely monitoring progress. Should the situation not improve, RSH is prepared to consider alternative resolutions and may take regulatory action if deemed necessary.
As the landscape of social housing continues to evolve, RSH remains committed to fostering a viable, efficient, and well-governed sector capable of delivering enhanced housing solutions. The introduction of revised consumer standards for social housing landlords on 1 April 2024, stemming from the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, aims to instigate long-term improvements while empowering the regulator with greater authority to hold landlords accountable.