Housing Ombudsman finds severe maladministration for Clarion’s failings on resolving leak

The Housing Ombudsman found severe maladministration for Clarion’s cumulative failings in handling repairs to resolve a leak and the problems that followed with the resident’s shower and electrics. The resident had consistently reported leaks into his shower room from the … Read more

New report highlights best practice in supporting energy customers in financial difficulty

In response to the unprecedented increase in wholesale gas prices, and the knock-on impact this has had on the cost of living, Heat Trust decided to undertake a compliance project to check that  heat suppliers were providing adequate support to … Read more

Westminster Hall Debate on ASB

MPs have gathered this week to debate what more can be done to address anti-social behaviour in communities. Jacob Young, Conservative MP for Redcar, called the Westminster Hall debate, with new Minister for Safeguarding Amanda Solloway saying: “Antisocial behaviour plagues … Read more

Almost 7.5 million people were victims of ASB in the last 3 years according to new research

Almost 7.5 million people were victims of ASB in the last 3 years according to new research  Study also shows that the majority of incidents go unreported, as the UK marks ASB Awareness Week 2022 Despite almost 1 in 2 … Read more

ASB Awareness Week

This week has marked ASB Awareness Week with the government launching two new initiatives aimed at improving community safety. The Home Office has launched new set of Anti-Social Behaviour Principles, aimed at encouraging more people to report ASB, improving partnership … Read more

8.2 million households could be in fuel poverty in October

National Energy Action is predicting that 8.2 million UK households will be in fuel poverty, if bills increase by 60%. That amounts to one in three households. Energy experts Cornwall Insight predicted that when the price cap rises in October, … Read more

Lack of social housing ‘no excuse’ for disrepair and poor conditions

The lack of social housing in the country needs addressing but is “no excuse” for housing people in squalor, says social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa. Speaking at HQN’s annual conference in London, Kwajo said the conditions he’s seen are “inhumane … Read more

Government launches new ASB panel for social housing

Social housing landlords will be “given support to tackle anti-social behaviour through a new advisory group”. Housing Minister Eddie Hughes has announced a new panel of experts to advise on the best approach for dealing with anti-social behaviour from tenants … Read more

Housing Ombudsman finds severe maladministration for council’s delayed repairs

The Housing Ombudsman found severe maladministration for Birmingham City Council’s delays in repairing an extensive water leak that caused damage to the resident’s property. The landlord failed to offer any compensation for the distress and inconvenience caused to the resident, … Read more

Government launches guidelines to protect victims of ASB and make communities safer

The government are to launch new guidelines to encourage more people to take a stand against anti-social behaviour and help make communities safer. The Home Office is using the launch of ASB Awareness Week to publish a new set of … Read more

Estate Services Annual Conference

Just a reminder that the virtual Estate Services Annual Conference 2022 is planned for 18 August. We’ve listened to feedback from members and will be focusing on the following areas: The rising cost of service delivery and what this means … Read more

Regulator of Social Housing sets out consumer regulation lessons from past year

The Regulator of Social Housing has published a review of its consumer regulation work between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. This year the regulator received more than 650 referrals from tenants, registered providers of social housing and other sources. … Read more

Let’s not be distracted by political upheaval – our tenants want us focused on better services

By Tim Cowland, Senior Consultant, Socitm Advisory The housing sector is used to political turmoil. So as the government wrestles with its future direction, we must continue to focus on the changes and challenges that will impact our tenants and … Read more

Housing Ombudsman planning systemic investigation into record keeping

Poor record keeping features among the latest decisions published by the Housing Ombudsman. “Strong record keeping practices are core to good services,” the body says, and will be the focus of a future systemic investigation by the Ombudsman. Also included … Read more

@housing2022 – Jasmine Tansur, Resident liaison officer, PA Housing

@housing2022 – Cym D’Souza, Chief Executive, Arawak Walton Housing Association

@housing2022 – Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman

Housing Quality Magazine July 2022

@housing2022 – Rebecca Bryant OBE, CEO, Resolve ASB & Andy Moore, Partner, MSB Solicitors

Worries about the rising costs of living, Great Britain: April to May 2022 – ONS

The ONS has published its latest research into the impact of the rising cost of living in Great Britain. Here are some of the main findings: Around three in four adults (77%) reported feeling very or somewhat worried about the … Read more

Two severe maladministration findings for housing association’s ‘significant failings’ on roof leak case

The Housing Ombudsman made two severe maladministration findings in a case about Shepherds Bush Housing’s failings in dealing with a resident’s reports of a roof leak. The resident, a shared owner, had reported a roof leak many times over several … Read more

Police record 1.8 million incidents of anti-social behaviour in 2020/21

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that police recorded 1.8 million incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the year ending June 2021. Following consistent decreases over the past 10 years, this was an increase of 7% (excluding British … Read more

Hyde launches free Universal Credit support tool

The Hyde Group has unveiled its new Universal Credit Helper, which will help those applying for Universal Credit for the first time. The online tool is being made available for free to organisations wanting to use it as part of their advice … Read more

Opinion: A sector in crisis — Inadequately equipped for UK’s growing ageing population

With the care sector currently accounting for one in 10 of all job vacancies across the UK, it’s in the eye of a workforce crisis storm, discusses Kris Peach, executive director of extra care at Housing 21. Providers are inadequately equipped … Read more

Government announces £66m fund to support rough sleepers over winter

Government has announced a new £66m fund to help rough sleepers “into safe and warm accommodation and treatment services for drug and alcohol dependency this winter”. More than 60 councils have been allocated a share of the up to £52m … Read more

Regulator finds a housing association and council in breach of the Home Standard in latest judgements

The Regulator of Social Housing has issued one downgrade and a new regulatory notice for a council as part of its latest regulatory judgements. One downgrade is for GreenSquareAccord. Already found to be in breach of the Home Standard after a self referral, … Read more

Housing Ombudsman urges zero tolerance approach on damp and mould

Social landlords should adopt a zero-tolerance approach to damp and mould says the Housing Ombudsman in a new report. Addressing damp and mould needs to be a higher priority for landlords, states the report, with a change in culture from reactive to proactive in order to improve the experience of residents. … Read more

Opinion: Why is it important to get the CEO in front of residents?

By Boris Worrall, Chief Executive, Rooftop Housing After each board meeting, we hold a Facebook Live Q&A for customers and stakeholders where we run through board discussions and decisions. Key is taking ‘live’ questions from those online, which, although it … Read more

Health and quality of life ‘more important than jobs and income’ in levelling up

More people ranked health and wellbeing, and quality of life as the most important areas for the Government to focus on in its levelling up agenda than jobs, economic productivity and income – in a recent YouGov poll, commissioned by housing association Karbon Homes. Twenty-two per … Read more

Government unveils £65m fund to help ‘vulnerable renters’ with arrears

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has set out a £65m fund to help those who are struggling with rent arrears in England. The £65m fund has been welcomed but both landlords and renters groups have called for … Read more