Agenda item

To accompany the report provided with the agenda, the Service Manager for Strategic Housing, City of Doncaster Council and the Director of Corporate Services St Leger Homes of Doncaster presented further information relating to the new regulatory regime for social housing and implications for the Council.

The following areas were addressed in detail:

Attendance by the regulatory body-  It was reported that it was unclear when the inspections would be undertaken but it was essential all parties were aware of the new regime.  It was noted that future quarterly performance information provided to the Council would now include the tenant satisfaction survey details.  In response to a query it was confirmed that the inspection would be undertaken on the Local Authority.  It was noted that there was no clarity as to whether inspections would be undertaken on all social landlords in Doncaster in the same time period.  Members acknowledged that it was the Local Authority’s responsibility to ensure that St Leger Homes of Doncaster was providing a good service.

Regulatory body fees – in response to concern with regard to the regulatory body fees, it was noted that it was currently estimated to be equivalent to £7 or £8 per property, but it was stressed by the Panel funding should be available for this and not be a burden on tenants.  In response to consultation it was confirmed that if a body was awarded a lower rating then they should be visited more frequently and if a higher rating given they be visited less frequently.

Stock condition surveys – it was reported that condition surveys were in place for approximately 50 percent of St Leger Homes properties but it was estimated that a rolling programme of 4000 properties per annum would be required.  It may be that surveyors could be employed to undertake the work but be recognised that every social housing company would need the same service and costs for this could increase.  Work was therefore required on how to undertake the surveys and how costs would be met.

It was noted that St Leger Homes and the Local Authority would always prefer to use their own staff to undertake work.  It was recognised that there had been an increase in work required following the national damp and condensation issues experienced last autumn and winter. 

Lettings Policy – in response to a question relating to behaviour of tenants, Members were reminded of the Lettings Policy and conditions that tenants must adhere to.  New tenants were imposed with an introductory tenancy and if for any reason in that introductory period they were not adhering to the policy a letting would be terminated.  If the same behaviour appeared after a longer period of time into a tenancy then their tenancy would cease after following the tenancy termination procedure.

Register of work on property – it was noted that not all properties managed by St Leger Homes had an up to date property data set, eg. when a boiler was last serviced.  This was an area that was being progressed.

Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) – It was confirmed that the Council did not have any properties that were let as an HMO.  Sometimes if there were  people who had special education needs then it may be two live together for safeguarding purposes.

Numbers of properties to class as a social landlord – it was confirmed that a company was classed as being a social landlord when it owned upwards of 1000 properties.

RESOLVED:  that the discussion, be noted.