Gove calls for ‘proactive approach’ in social housing regulation following Awaab Ishak case
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has criticised social landlords for "defensive behaviour" when handling complaints in an evidence session with the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee.
This follows the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died from a respiratory condition caused by long term exposure to mould.
Michael Gove outlined the need for a "proactive approach" in the inspection of social landlords, which would involve making sure tenants feel more “comfortable and confident in raising complaints” and ensuring they are aware of the services provided by the Ombudsman.
He noted that the social housing regulator should have “additional powers to investigate”, adding that they will have the power to impose unlimited fines under the Government’s proposed legislation.
He told the committee that there had been “complacency” from social landlords, and “a desire to put the interests of bureaucracy ahead of interests of the tenant’.
In the case of Awaab Ishak, he noted that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) “hid behind the [legal] process”, raising concerns over “defensive behaviour” from social landlords who will not respond to tenant’s complaints if solicitors or the Ombudsman have already been involved.
He added: “Ultimately it is for the RSL [registered social landlord] to respond to tenants when issues are raised.”
Natalie Elphicke MP questioned Gove on the adequacy of the current inspection rating approach, after noting that Rochdale Boroughwide Housing was awarded a ‘G1’ by the social housing regulator – the top level rating, a year after Awaab Ishak’s death.
Gove responded saying it can sometimes be the case that “judgments made about effectiveness are made on whether certain boxes have been ticked rather than whether tenants have actually been looked after.”
He said that there was a “self-congratulatory” tone to the way RBH reflected on equality, diversity and inclusion questions which was “wholly inappropriate” when published after the death of a child.
Gove told the committee that he had also written to six housing providers - Clarion, Southern Housing Group, Onward Homes, Catalyst Housing, PA Housing and Johnnie Johnson Housing - that have had recent findings of severe maladministration made against them by the Housing Ombudsman for problems related to cold, damp, mould, leaks and antisocial behaviour.
In the wide-ranging hearing, the Secretary of State also discussed the pressures on Local Government in Social Care and Children's services, a review on council tax, rough sleeping, payments for families hosting Ukrainian refugees and the need for personal evacuation plans for disabled people in high rise buildings.
Lottie Winson
