Keeping residents safe

The Regulator for Social Housing’s Sector risk profile 2024 has a focus on Tenant safety, saying in the report that:

‘Ensuring that tenants are safe in their homes is a fundamental responsibility for any landlord. Failure to do so risks catastrophic harm to tenants and can damage trust in the sector as a whole. Boards and councillors must ensure they understand the landlord’s legal obligations in relation to the health and safety of tenants in their homes and communal areas. This includes required assessments for fire, gas, electrical, asbestos, water, lift safety, and ensuring the presence of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in all required homes. Assurance on tenant safety must be underpinned by accurate, up-to-date, and complete data, including through physical inspections of properties to assess the presence of hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. Landlords also need to take a proactive approach to identifying and tackling damp and mould. Boards and councillors must learn from the tragic case of Awaab Ishak and should ensure they seek to understand tenants’ needs and take these into account when assessing the risks from damp and mould’

Yet gaining access for this inspection list can be a real challenge to landlords.

Gaining access – the challenges

The G15 report from January 2025 ‘Taking the stigma out of social housing’ shows that over half of the residents in London’s social housing are working – contributing some £15 billion to the economy – and that makes staying in for someone to inspect the property a challenge. Add to that the 13.2% living with disability and you have 6 in 10 households that find granting access to carry out inspections and inconvenience in their lives. Multiple visits to cover off required assessments for fire, gas, electrical, asbestos, water, lift safety, presence of carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms all add up.

Making it easier for your residents

Instead of juggling multiple visits and coordinating access for various inspections, Sureserve is suggesting looking at how you might attach these inspections to your maintenance visits. This could offer a streamlined, efficient service that makes the process easier for you and your residents.

The Sureserve Property MOT

Sureserve Property MOT offers a comprehensive service that saves time and money. By conducting multiple inspections in one visit, we reduce disruptions for residents and ensure your properties stay compliant with current and upcoming regulations. The data we collect helps you make informed decisions on property management, repairs, and future investments.

Trusted partner in keeping homes warm and safe

Sureserve is a trusted partner of Housing Associations, Local Authorities, and residents for compliance and energy services, providing the expertise needed to manage properties effectively.

We focus on safety, expertise, and commitment to excellence. Our team works seamlessly with yours to ensure streamlined property maintenance and ongoing compliance, helping you provide warm, safe homes for your residents.

Find out more about our property MOT services here.