Ipswich Borough Council is today responding to the publication of a C3 grading by the Regulator of Social Housing. This is the first inspection of a council landlord in Suffolk and applies the Regulators Consumer Standards to the Council’s landlord service for the first time.
The C3 grading, means the Regulator identified areas where improvements are required. While the inspection also found evidence of good practice, the council accepts the findings and is focused on meeting the Regulators Consumer Standards as well as meeting the needs of its tenants.
Councillor Alasdair Ross, Ipswich Borough Council, Portfolio Holder for Housing, says:
“We are committed to providing safe, decent homes and quality services to our tenants. Although the Regulator has acknowledged areas of good practice and high satisfaction among tenants, we recognise there is more to do. We have already taken action in several key areas and will continue to make progress with pace and transparency.”
Ahead of the inspection, the council had already begun work to improve its landlord service against the Consumer Standards. At the time of the inspection, arrangements were being made to:
- Offer additional housing hazard surveys to all households in council housing.
- Improve how it understands tenant needs.
- Expand opportunities for tenants to influence services and decisions.
All these actions are now being delivered.
Councillor Alasdair Ross added:
“This is a step-change for all council landlords, and there has been learning for everyone. We are determined to get this right and to work even more closely with tenants as we raise standards and build stronger relationships.”
Ipswich tenants continue to report high levels of satisfaction, with the council achieving an overall satisfaction rate of 80% in Tenant Satisfaction Measures. Investment in council housing remains a key priority for the council, with ongoing work focused on fire, gas, and electrical safety checks, delivering planned maintenance to keep homes in good condition, and building new council homes to meet local demand.
We have created a dedicated page with further information including regular updates here.