A local authority which was found to have more than 1,000 overdue fire risk assessment remedial actions and nearly 400 homes without an electrical safety condition check has today received a C4 grading from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

However, despite the “very serious failings” found at Tandridge District Council in Surrey, the regulator has said it will not use its enforcement powers “at this stage”.

During an inspection, RSH found the council:

• Had over 1,000 overdue fire risk assessment remedial actions
• Had nearly 400 homes without an electrical safety condition check
• Does not hold records from when stock condition surveys were last undertaken in 2016
• Had significant issues with the quality and accuracy of the repairs performance information
• Does not have an accurate understanding of the diverse needs of its tenants and could not evidence that its services are accessible
• Could not provide sufficient evidence that it was working to deter and tackle hate incidents in its neighbourhoods.

According to the regulator, Tandridge DC has been engaging constructively and self-referred the electrical safety issue to RSH before the inspection. It has made progress in addressing the outstanding checks, but further work is required to ensure that it holds accurate information.

Kate Dodsworth, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at RSH, said: “We cannot accept tenants’ safety and wellbeing being put at risk and we will be engaging intensively with the council as it puts things right.

“We expect the council to urgently develop a comprehensive improvement plan that recognises the scale and breadth of the issues, and that drives fundamental change across all the areas identified. This should be shared with tenants.

“Landlords must continue to self-refer if they find a material issue.”

RSH is carrying out planned inspections of all large social landlords (those with 1,000 homes or more) over a four-year cycle.

Responding to the C4 grading, Tandridge District Council said it accepted the judgement and is taking action to improve the service.

Councillor Jeremy Pursehouse, chair of the council’s housing committee, said: “We are disappointed to have been given this grading, but accept the findings. We identified some areas for improvement before the inspection, but are developing a more detailed improvement plan. Our housing service is already working hard to deliver the actions and I continue to have the utmost faith in our officers.

“I would like to reassure our tenants their safety and the quality of their home is our priority and we will be working hard to ensure we have the right policies and procedures in place.”

The council has listed the remedial actions it is taking on its website:

• Setting up an improvement team to develop and deliver an improvement plan
• Reviewing compliance, systems and data and commissioning support to make improvements
• Commissioning a stock condition survey
• Taking a more proactive approach to responsive repairs
• Reviewing performance indicators and tenant satisfaction measures
• Commissioning an independent assessment of contractors’ work
• Identifying more training and development for staff
• Improving complaint handling
• Increasing tenant engagement.