Housing watchdog opens investigation into possible ‘serious failings’ by Southwark council

A housing watchdog has opened an investigation into Southwark council after it self-referred over failures around electrical safety.

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) said on Friday that it was looking into potential “serious failings” in tenant safety and quality standards by the landlord. 

As a result, the local authority, which manages 36,000 homes, has been added to the agency’s “gradings under review list”. 

Councillor Sarah King, Southwark council’s cabinet member for council homes, said the council would work with the RSH to help drive improvements on behalf of its tenants.

The decision comes after the local authority announced last month that it had self-referred over a failure to effectively implement a new requirement for electrical testing.

At the time of the self-referral, the council apologised and said it took residents’ safety extremely seriously. 

Prior to the self-referral, Labour-controlled Southwark council faced pressure from the opposition Liberal Democrats to report itself to the RSH.

In December 2023, Southwark Lib Dems urged the regulator to conduct an investigation of Southwark’s housing management and tenant service after a “high number of complaints” in the housing department. 

Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Southwark council, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, said he “welcomed” the regulator’s decision.

He said: “No one will be shocked Southwark is the first council to be sanctioned in this way by the social housing watchdog. It’s just one scandal after another here. 

 “It speaks volumes that this action is being taken in the same week Labour councillors unanimously rejected Southwark Liberal Democrats’ demand for the council to declare London’s first housing emergency. 

“From major works and electrical safety scandals to stonewalling residents and a district heating system fleecing leaseholders and tenants, it’s clear Southwark is failing at housing, and Labour have let it happen.” 

The RSH’s investigation is part of a planned inspection. Under the agency’s new consumer powers, introduced in April, it is carrying out physical inspections of local authorities. 

Cllr King said: “The safety of our tenants and residents will always be a top priority for Southwark, which is why we are determined to keep raising the quality and safety of our council homes.

“This work is one part of the wide-ranging action we are taking to improve our council homes. This has also included setting up a new tenant-led repairs improvement board; damp and mould service and rolling repairs actions days on estates, as well as appointing new leadership in the housing department.

“While there is still some way to go, progress is being made in areas such as repairs, where satisfaction has increased since 2021.”

Council tenants who have questions about electrical safety can call a dedicated electrical safety number (020 7525 5999) or email (electrical.testing@southwark.gov.uk) to seek advice, and where necessary, book an appointment.

Residents can also visit a dedicated webpage (southwark.gov.uk/electrical-testing) for further information and answers to frequently asked questions.

Pictured top: Southwark council HQ in Tooley Street (Picture: Google Street View)