Council refers itself to social housing regulator
As part of its commitment to improving council homes, the Council has today referred itself to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in relation to electrical testing.
The RSH is the independent organisation responsible for regulating a viable, efficient and well-governed social housing sector.
Following a reorganisation and as part of an ongoing review of the housing service, it became clear a mandatory electrical safety test of each home had not been correctly implemented.
Once this was discovered, the Council started a major programme to complete the required tests, which are known as Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR). The Council will be writing to council tenants to explain what happens next and when their property will be tested.
While this work is underway, tenants should continue to take the usual care when using electrical appliances and devices in their homes. Council tenants who have any concerns about electrical safety can call 01737 355776 or e-mail tandridge@nrtgroup.co.uk to seek advice and where necessary, book an appointment.
This work is part of a range of actions being taken to improve the 2,600 council homes. This has also included setting up a new Residents Forum, a damp and mould prevention service and procurement of various repairs and maintenance contracts. While there is still some way to go, progress is being made in areas such as repairs, resident engagement and management of anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Jeremy Pursehouse, Chairman of the Housing Committee, said: “In line with best practice and for transparency we are making this self-referral to and working with the Regulator of Social Housing, as the independent organisation responsible for driving improvements in social housing through robust regulation.
“We take residents’ safety extremely seriously and are determined to keep raising the quality of our council homes. While we have made real progress – improving our resident engagement offer, tackling damp and making our homes safer from fire – we still have more work to do. This includes completing these important electrical tests. We are sorry for the delay in carrying out these tests, but tenants can be reassured this work is underway.”