Housing safety standards have been flagged as weak by auditors, according to a report presented to the City of London's Audit and Risk Management Committee.
A significant weakness was identified following an inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), which resulted in a C3 rating for serious failings in delivering safety and quality standards. The RSH identified serious failings in arrangements for delivering the outcomes of the safety and quality standard.
Specifically, the audit findings report highlighted significant numbers of overdue remedial actions relating to electrical safety checks, and over 1,000 overdue fire safety remedial actions, within this there were a number of high-risk actions that have been overdue for over a year.
Furthermore, the Authority did not hold up to date, accurate information on all its homes
regarding the condition of housing stock, and 18% of homes did not meet the requirements of the Decent Homes Standard.
While the Authority has taken prompt action, improvements are needed to demonstrate sustained compliance. The findings were detailed in the 2025-26 Audit Findings Report, presented by external auditors Grant Thornton UK LLP. The report highlighted that despite the Authority understanding the issues and working at pace to address them, a weakness in arrangements will persist until improvements are demonstrated to be sufficient for the rating to be reduced and sustained.
The Authority has committed to improving its performance against stock condition surveys, decent homes standard rates, fire safety inspections, electrical safety inspections, and tenant information. A Housing Improvement Strategy and updated Housing Strategy Action Plan are in place, with 24 of 69 objectives in progress or complete.
However, the Authority's own monitoring arrangements identified issues within the housing stock, and while actions have been initiated, they are not yet fully embedded. Planned interventions include a major programme of improvements with the aim of reaching the Decent Homes Standard,
funded by an investment of an additional £211 million programme over the next 10 years to address safety, quality and Decent Homes compliance in its social homes.
A stock condition survey programme is underway with an extended deadline of 100% completion by September 2026, and an Asset Management Strategy refresh is expected in Q2 2026-27.
Governance arrangements are in place to monitor progress, with external support engaged to provide assurances on the effectiveness of the response. The Authority has extensive governance arrangements in place to monitor progress, this includes quarterly review by Housing Senior Management Team, the Monthly Housing Improvement Board and the Housing Management and Almshouses Committee. Management seeks assurances on the effectiveness of its plans, as they progress, through regular informal liaison with the RSH and commissioning a compliance review by Pennington Choices. The Authority expects to achieve the Decent Homes Standard by 2035.
