The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has concluded that a local authority breached its consumer standards.

In a regulatory notice published today (Wednesday 25 January 2023), the RSH has concluded that Sheffield City Council breached the Home Standard and, as a result, there was potential for serious detriment to tenants.

Following a self-referral, RSH carried out an investigation and confirmed that the council failed to meet statutory health and safety requirements. Annual gas safety checks were overdue for hundreds of homes, with some dating back several years. The council is now working to complete the gas safety checks and return to compliance with the regulator’s standards.

Kate Dodsworth, Director of Consumer Regulation at RSH, said: “Sheffield City Council recognised that it had failed to meet health and safety requirements and referred itself to us.

“Our investigation confirms that the council breached our standards and put tenants at potential risk. We will monitor it closely as it completes the overdue gas checks and puts things right for tenants.

More information about the regulator’s findings in this case are available in the regulatory notice.