The requirement for local authorities and other Registered
Providers to report annually on a suite of Tenant Satisfaction
Measures (TSMs) has revealed inconsistencies in how councils assess
the condition of their housing stock. Some councils are also
failing to provide the Regulator of Social Housing with adequate
information about the state of their stock.
To help address this problem, ARCH is working in partnership
with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, alongside the
Local Government Association, the National Housing Federation, and
the National Federation of ALMOs, to develop a standardized stock
condition survey for all social landlords to use. It will not be
mandatory but will enable landlords to access an off-the-peg stock
condition methodology that they can be sure meets regulatory
requirements.
Tenants in this country can hold their landlord to account for
their high-quality services and homes. This ensures that repairs
and complaints are handled promptly and that social housing tenants
are treated fairly. Member authorities will be invited to comment
on and shape the approach as it develops. We will also be
consulting tenants and residents on the proposals.