In April 2024, new regulations for consumer standards were introduced for local authorities by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). To make sure that we were meeting the new standards as soon as possible, we committed to reviewing our housing service performance, measuring it specifically against the new standards.
In January 2025, like many other local authorities, we referred ourselves to the Regulator of Social Housing, so that we could begin working with them, to meet the new standards as quickly as possible. At the same time we also submitted our action plan to meet the new standards and began working on it straight away.
Following our self-referral, the Regulator of Social Housing has now concluded their assessment and awarded us with a 'C3' judgement. You can view their judgement here: Winchester City Council - GOV.UK
They have assessed that some of the systems which monitor and measure the safety and quality of homes did not meet the new standards at the time of the assessment.
We'd like to reassure our tenants that we have a plan to tackle the issues raised and a full stock-check of all our homes is underway, to ensure we hold the same information for every home we manage.
We did not wait for the judgement before taking action, and we've been working to address some of the issues.
Our progress so far:
100% of homes have had their gas safety rechecked and will be third-party verified- as required by the new regulations.
By 31 May 2025, any gaps in fire risk assessment will be complete and we would have updated and reassessed the full range of properties again by the end of August.
All asbestos surveys in communal areas will be completed by end of June 2025
98% of properties have had their electrics rechecked and 99% of properties have had their smoke alarms rechecked
100% of water safety checks are already complete
100% lift assessments complete
We have written to all tenants to explain the judgement what it means for them, and provide reassurance and guidance. (If you are a tenant you should receive this letter in the next couple of days it was posted 30/4/25.) We are very proud to be a social landlord and we are confident in the safety and quality of our homes.
The Regulator of Social Housing sets out the regulatory standards that landlords must meet under the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008. The regulator is there to make sure that the social housing sector is a viable, efficient and well-governed, and that it is able to deliver quality homes and services for current and future tenants.
The Social Housing (Regulations) Act 2023, which came into force on 1 April 2024, introduced four new consumer standards that apply to all registered providers of social housing, including local authorities. These standards place an emphasis on decent homes, tenant safety, tenant engagement and transparency, and place a duty on landlords to highlight any areas of non-compliance to the Regulator.
Under the new standards, landlords need to:
ensure tenants are safe in their homes
listen to tenants’ complaints and respond promptly to put things right
be accountable to tenants and treat them with fairness and respect
know more about the condition of every home and the needs of the people who live in them
collect and use data effectively across a range of areas, including repairs
Following an expansion of its powers, from 1 April 2024, the regulator began carrying out regulatory inspections of social landlords.
The Regulator of Social Housing publishes regulatory judgements to show how well a landlord is delivering its services compared to an agreed set of consumer standards. They provide a consumer grading from C1 to C4.
C1 - Landlord is delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards. The landlord has demonstrated that it identifies when issues occur and puts plans in place to remedy and minimise recurrence.
C2 - There are some weaknesses in the landlord delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards and improvement is needed.
C3 - There are serious failings in the landlord delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards and significant improvement is needed.
C4 - There are very serious failings in the landlord delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards. The landlord must make fundamental changes so that improved outcomes are delivered.
We wanted to make sure that we were meeting the new standards as soon as possible - so we committed to reviewing our housing service and measuring it against the new standards. To ensure we were as thorough as possible, we also commissioned an independent assessment.
Following that assessment, we referred ourselves to the Regulator of Social Housing in January 2025 to ask for advice and an assessment on how we are performing against the new standards.
As a council, we’re really proud to be able to provide council homes for our residents and we take our role as landlord extremely seriously. Our referral was to ensure we’re providing the best possible standards, and a housing service our tenants want and expect.
It is not uncommon for councils to refer themselves as they adapt to the changing regulations and several other councils have done so in recent months. We wanted to reach the new standards as quickly as possible which is why we have self-referred, rather than waiting for the scheduled assessment, which happens on a rolling four-yearly programme.
We will write to all tenants to explain the judgement, and provide reassurance and guidance. We are very proud to be a social landlord and we are confident in the safety and quality of our homes.
We have a plan to tackle the issues raised and a full stock-check of all our homes is already underway, to ensure we hold the correct information for every home we manage.
We are working to ensure that we meet the new standards as soon as possible, but we ask tenants to get in touch with us if have any concerns– as we are here to help. You can contact us by phone on 01962 848 197 or via email at housingtenancy@winchester.gov.uk
