The Regulator of Social Housing has today (9 June) published
the results of its
second monthly survey of housing associations and local
authorities about how they are coping with the coronavirus
pandemic.
The social housing sector is generally reporting that it is
continuing to maintain service delivery for emergency repairs and
key health and safety checks, and that some of the challenges
that it is facing have begun to ease. Providers report that
almost all emergency repairs are being completed, but challenges
with access to properties and the reduced reporting of repairs
mean that backlogs of routine repairs and some safety checks
continue to rise. Almost all gas safety certificates are in date
for most providers but compared to April, a higher number of
providers are reporting that they are currently completing most,
rather than all, gas safety checks. Many providers have said that
they normally operate a 10- or 11-month gas servicing cycle to
mitigate against the risk of failing to meet the 12-month
statutory cycle should problems arise. In the current
circumstances the effectiveness of this mitigation is diminishing
and as a result, the backlogs of gas safety checks are rising and
are likely to continue to rise.
Social housing landlords responsible for care and support
settings are reporting that they are continuing to maintain safe
staffing levels and essential services. Absence rates appear to
be recovering and providers generally appear to have successfully
identified stable supply lines for PPE.
Housing associations and local authorities are continuing to
address the ongoing challenges with adapted approaches including
remote working, continuing alternative deployments of staff and
increased communication with tenants. In many cases, they are now
also planning for recovery.
Fiona MacGregor, Chief Executive says:
The ongoing impact of the coronavirus outbreak continues to
affect how social housing landlords provide services to tenants
and keep them safe. It will take time for the recent easing of
restrictions to be fully reflected on the ground and in the
responses to our cross-sector operational survey.
We are pleased that housing associations and local authorities
are generally able to report continued service delivery in the
areas surveyed, including some plans for recovery. Providers
and their staff have adapted well to the changing circumstances
and we anticipate that the flexible and agile approaches they
have taken will continue as restrictions ease further.
Notes to editors
- The short survey asked providers to answer a single
multiple-choice question on each of five key areas: emergency
repairs; statutory gas safety checks; statutory fire safety
checks; asbestos, electrical, legionella and lift checks; and
care and support staffing levels. For each area it also asked
them to identify any key constraints, risks and mitigating
actions and the scale of any backlog and how this has changed
since the previous survey.
- The survey and supporting guidance were made available for
providers to complete on RSH’s online data collection
portal NROSH+ from Friday
15 to Friday 22 May. It was issued to all private registered
providers with 1,000 or more properties, local authorities, and
to some smaller private registered providers with over 500
properties and/or a high proportion of care and support activity.
The next round of the survey will take place between 19 and 26
June.
- We intend to run the survey monthly for as long as is
necessary and will keep the frequency under review. However,
where providers believe tenant safety is threatened or viability
is under strain, we urge them to inform RSHimmediately through their
key contact at the regulator, or our Referrals and Regulatory
Enquiries team or SmallProviders@rsh.gov.uk or
by calling 0300 124 5225.
- Please see our Coronavirus statements
page for the latest updates.
- The Regulator of Social Housing promotes a viable, efficient
and well-governed social housing sector able to deliver homes
that meet a range of needs. It does this by undertaking robust
economic regulation focusing on governance, financial viability
and value for money that maintains lender confidence and protects
the taxpayer. It also sets consumer standards and may take action
if these standards are breached and there is a significant risk
of serious detriment to tenants or potential tenants.
