Haringey (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Haringey Council undergoes mock inspection to prepare for the Regulator of Social Housing’s visit, aiming to ensure compliance with new consumer standards.
A group of experts from a housing consultant conducted the examination between September and October 2024, simulating the inspection procedure used by the English authority and offering a number of suggestions for enhancement.
It was determined that the RSH would probably give Haringey a conforming C2 rating.
The regulator has been closely monitoring social landlords, such as housing associations and councils, since April 2024 in order to assess their compliance with the four updated consumer criteria.
Landlords can receive a C1 after an inspection if they meet the requirements, or a C4 if very major flaws are found.
The Haringey Council has not yet been examined. However, it said that after a self-referral in 2023 led the regulator to conclude that it endangered thousands of tenants by not meeting fire and electrical safety standards, it made the decision to conduct a simulated inspection.
This month, a report detailing the mock inspection’s specifics was presented to the council’s housing, planning, and development oversight panel.
Similar to the RSH’s inspections, Haringey provided a variety of supporting documentation in advance, such as completed self-assessments in relation to the four consumer standards and documents on plans, strategies, and policies.
Focus groups with participating citizens and frontline personnel were also conducted as part of the simulated inspection, along with interviews with the council’s chief executive, cabinet members, and managers.
The council’s planning, coordination, and document submission were deemed “well managed” by the inspectors.
It concluded that the council’s present stance on the Safety and Quality Standard is “such that it may be able to provide the level of assurance the regulator will be seeking.”
With frequent reporting to the RSH and internal monitoring to guarantee compliance and high-quality service delivery, the council is dedicated to continuous development and transparency.
According to the inspection, the council has made “significant progress” in “addressing each of the health and safety weaknesses that necessitated self-referral” and in better knowing its stock.
Haringey Council hopes to show its dedication to upholding legal requirements and offering its citizens better services by implementing proactive measures like the mock inspection.
While there has been “some improvement” in tenant satisfaction with the repairs service, it was discovered that there are still flaws that “need to be addressed in a timely manner if the relevant required outcomes… are to be evidenced.”
The expert suggested that Haringey Council map out and report on all health and safety hazards, “not just the ‘big six’,” and conduct stock condition surveys every five years.
The organization’s strategy for enabling, coordinating, and delivering aids and adaptations should be effectively overseen by the council’s housing improvement board.
The council’s response to the “no access” issues that are “currently hampering” the capacity to conduct electrical inspections in a “timely manner” should be formalized and put into action through “urgent steps.”
The expert also suggested making sure Haringey’s planned enhancements to its voids management and rapid maintenance service were implemented.
The inspection revealed that “more rigor should be brought to the collection of household data, and management of complaints is a work in progress” with regard to the Transparency, Influence, and Accountability Standard.
The implementation of an annual engagement impact report and the development of a draft household data collection strategy were among the recommendations.
The inspection revealed that “much work needed” to transform the council’s “end-to-end lettings process into positive practice” in terms of the Tenancy Standard.
As part of this process, the council’s housing allocations and the backlog of unoccupied buildings were reviewed.
The research suggests that the council should reevaluate how it assists new renters and see whether more assistance with furnishing and equipping dwellings is possible.
After deciding to self-refer to the regulator in January 2023, Haringey Council hired an outside firm to conduct a simulated inspection, according to Sarah Williams, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and development.
“While this is a mock inspection, the council recognises the significant progress it has made since its self-referral which may give the assurance the RSH will be looking for against the new consumer standards as part of its routine inspection,”
she said.
According to Ms. Williams, the council has accepted and agreed with the suggestions given during the simulated inspection.
What are the key highlights of the regulator’s visit for mock inspection?
By simulating the actual regulatory visit, the mock inspection enables Haringey Council to pinpoint areas in need of improvement and resolve any possible problems before to the actual inspection.
The council can determine whether it is prepared to adhere to the new consumer requirements by doing a simulated inspection. This involves assessing its housing management procedures, rules, and systems.
Tenant satisfaction, safety, and service quality are prioritized under the new consumer standards regime. The Haringey Council is working to make sure it complies with these requirements, especially after it was discovered to have violated earlier consumer guidelines.
Compliance issues for Haringey Council have included violations of fire safety and decent homes regulations. The council is trying to perform better in these areas and has put remedial measures in place.