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Council hit with C3 grade over ‘serious’ fire safety and electrical failings
Another council has been handed a non-compliant C3 grade under the consumer standards after it emerged it had 1,000 overdue fire safety actions.
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) also found that over 85% of Portsmouth City Council’s homes have not had an electrical condition test for over five years, a number of which are in high-risk communal blocks.
The English regulator’s investigation into the council began in August 2024 after information in its fire safety remediation survey return indicated potentially issues.
Although initial engagement focused on fire safety, Portsmouth was then asked to provide further information on wider aspects of landlord health and safety.
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Following a self-assessment, the council made a self-referral to the RSH in September.
On top of the fire safety and electrical condition test failures, the investigation found that less than 40% of the council’s homes had been surveyed within the past five years.
More than a third had been surveyed more than 10 years ago and nearly 10% had no record at all.
At the same time, stock condition surveys done prior to 2024 did not include an assessment of hazards.
The regulator also found a lack of clarity for tenants as to what they can expect in terms of the repairs service.
According to the judgement, Portsmouth Council reported it operates a “demand-led” repairs and maintenance service, doing repairs at a time and date convenient to the tenant “regardless of the nature of the repair”.
It only recently introduced emergency and routine repair definitions and associated target timescales.
The judgement said: “Due to the way that repair information is currently recorded, repairs performance in terms of timeliness cannot be easily reported.
“We therefore lack assurance that there is clarity for tenants as to what they can expect in terms of the repairs service, and that Portsmouth CC [City Council] has adequate oversight of its repairs performance to enable it to ensure it provides an effective, efficient and timely repairs and maintenance service.”
Kate Dodsworth, chief of regulatory engagement at the RSH, said the health and safety of tenants is “non-negotiable”.
She added: “Providing safe, decent homes for tenants starts with accurate, up-to-date data. Without this, it is impossible to deliver the right services to residents.
“Portsmouth City Council has engaged constructively with us and we welcome their transparency in making a self-referral. This is the first step towards addressing the serious failings identified and making significant improvements.”
Darren Sanders, cabinet member for housing and tackling homelessness at Portsmouth Council, said: “We knew there was room for improvement to meet the new regulator standards.
“That’s why we referred ourselves and have publicised this to our tenants and other stakeholders.
“We welcome and accept the findings of the regulator and will work constructively and proactively with them and our tenants on those areas they have identified.
“I am confident we are already addressing the issues raised.
“Tenants are at the heart of everything we do, and tenant feedback reassures us that they have confidence in us as a landlord.
“We want to be open and transparent with our tenants, leaseholders and shared owners, and to embrace the ongoing work plan. This is the start of our journey with the regulator, and we will continue to work closely with them.”
Earlier this month, Newcastle City Council and Nottingham City Council both received C3 grades over a lack of stock condition surveys, overdue disrepair cases and poor repair services.
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