Barking and Dagenham Council is preparing for a comprehensive inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) between January and March 2027, following a self-referral in 2022 due to concerns over health and safety compliance. The RSH's role has significantly expanded following the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, moving towards planned inspections for all social landlords.
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee received an update on the council's preparations, which include developing a detailed improvement plan and enhancing staff training. Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Housing, Adult Social Care and Health, highlighted the ongoing work to address issues identified in a 2022 Regulatory Notice. This notice cited a lack of assurance regarding fire, electrical, asbestos, gas, lift, and water safety.
Since the 2022 notice, the council has undertaken significant work to update its databases and implement new systems. This includes creating a solar system of data
with multiple integrated systems to capture information about all assets within the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and implementing new software to provide assurance on property compliance. External assessments have been conducted by the Housing Quality Network (HQN) and other consultants.
Key milestones for the improvement plan, which is awaiting regulator agreement and is expected to be finalised by the end of the year, include the completion of approximately 1,200 fire doors by March 2027. The Housing Asset Management Strategy and Tenant Engagement Strategy are also due for completion by the end of December. The council is reporting 100% compliance to the regulator on fire risk assessments, legionella assessments, and asbestos inspections, with a cyclical programme in place and no overdue assessments.
John Knight, Director of Housing, explained the regulatory framework and the council's progress. We know we've got improvements to make still,
he stated, expressing confidence that the council is working towards a C3 grading. A C3 grading signifies that Failings which the landlord's current arrangements are not strong enough to put right and which are significantly affecting service outcomes.
While specific improvements needed for this level were not detailed, the council believes it has made sufficient progress to achieve it.
Preparations also include the creation of a new Regulatory Standards Manager post, filled by an individual with experience in an authority that achieved a C1 rating. The council is also focusing on rebuilding tenant engagement structures with a new Tenant Voice Group. This group will meet regularly to review housing policies and plans, with its Chair becoming a member of the Housing Strategy Delivery Board to ensure tenant views are represented at a high governance level. The council aims for around 500 tenants to provide regular feedback through surveys and other methods.
If the RSH inspection identifies significant ongoing non-compliance, the council and its tenants could face implications. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 has strengthened the RSH's ability to impose penalties, including unlimited fines, on landlords in breach of standards. A C4 grading, the lowest possible, signifies Failings against the Standards are so serious that the landlord must make fundamental changes so that improved outcomes are delivered.
Landlords graded C2-C4 are required to work closely with the RSH to implement an improvement plan addressing all identified weaknesses.
The council anticipates a full inspection by the RSH between January and March 2027, with six weeks' notice. The full details of the improvement plan are not yet public as it awaits regulator agreement. More information can be found in the Public reports pack for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 7 October 2026.
Public reports pack Wednesday 07-Oct-2026 19.00 Overview and Scrutiny Committee