Regulator of Social Housing finds London borough in breach of consumer standards

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has found that Haringey Council breached its consumer standards, creating potential for “serious detriment” to tenants.

In a regulatory notice published yesterday (6 March), the RSH concluded that Haringey Council breached the ‘Home Standard’ and requirements for fire and electrical safety.

The Home Standard sets expectations for registered providers of social housing to provides tenants with quality accommodation and a cost-effective repairs and maintenance service.

The Regulator confirmed that the council had failed to complete a significant number of remedial fire safety actions, including 4,000 that were high risk. In addition, it did not have up-to-date electrical safety reports for thousands of homes.

Through its investigation, RSH said it also found that more than 100 of the council’s homes had serious hazards (known as ‘category one’ hazards) and nearly 5,000 of its homes did not meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Kate Dodsworth, Director of Consumer Regulation at RSH, said: “Haringey Council put thousands of tenants at potential risk by failing to meet health and safety requirements for fire and electrical safety. Our investigation has also revealed that a significant number of Haringey Council homes do not meet the decent homes standard.

“The council needs to act urgently to put things right for tenants, and we are monitoring it closely as it does this.”

The Regulator has confirmed that Haringey Council is undertaking a full condition survey of its tenants’ homes and has put a programme in place to rectify these issues.

Haringey Council has been approached for comment.