South Coast council becomes latest authority to be hit with "serious failings" grading from Regulator of Social Housing

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has issued another C3 grading to a local authority, this time to Portsmouth City Council, after an investigation found the council had fallen short of consumer standards, in particular those relating to the Safety and Quality Standard.

RSH began evaluating Portsmouth in August 2024, after information in the council’s Fire Safety Remediation Survey return indicated “potentially material issues”.

Portsmouth was additionally asked to provide information on wider aspects of landlord health and safety and, following a self-assessment, the council made a self-referral to RSH in September 2024. 

An investigation into the landlord found:

• More than 1,000 outstanding fire remedial actions.
• Over 85% of its homes have not had an electrical condition test for over five years, a number of which are located in high-risk communal blocks.
• Less than 40% of its homes had been surveyed within the last five years, more than a third had been surveyed more than ten years ago, and nearly 10% had no record at all. Additionally, stock condition surveys undertaken prior to 2024 did not include an assessment of hazards.
• A lack of clarity for tenants as to what they can expect in terms of the repairs service.

Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said: “The health and safety of tenants is non-negotiable.

“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.”

Conversely, RSH also handed out a C1 grade to Aspire Housing, a Newcastle-based social housing provider, for its first consumer grading.

Sanctuary Housing Association received a C2 grading. 

Cllr Darren Sanders, Portsmouth's Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, 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 on-going work plan. This is the start of our journey with the regulator, and we will continue to work closely with them.”