Housing Watchdog to Investigate Possible “Serious Failings” at Southwark Council

• The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has placed Southwark Council on its "gradings under review" list due to potential "serious failings" in tenant safety and quality standards. 

• This unprecedented move follows an invitation to investigate by the Liberal Democrats and a self-referral by the council over failures in conducting electrical safety tests, amidst ongoing controversies and complaints. 

• Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, welcomes the investigation, criticizing Labour's management and highlighting recent rejections of housing emergency declarations. 

The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has today announced that it is placing Southwark Council on its “gradings under review” watch list. It is the first council to be put on this list, and the 6th to be investigated.  

The regulator says it is investigating possible “serious failings in the landlord delivering the outcomes of the Safety and Quality Standard” which are there to protect tenants. , following self-referral.  

The watchdog only takes its most severe and extraordinary action where there are serious concerns about landlords. In June the regulator found five councils to have failed to meet the RSH’s standards.  

In December 2023, Southwark Liberal Democrats invited the regulator to conduct a wide ranging investigation of Southwark’s housing management and tenant service, in the aftermath of the Major Works scandals and high number of complaints in the housing department. The Liberal Democrats understand that this is now happening.  

Earlier this month it came to light that the council had referred itself to the regulator over its failure to properly conduct electrical safety tests. The Liberal Democrats brought the matter to the overview and scrutiny committee, where housing bosses could not answer the question of how it was allowed to happen, saying it would be “speculation”.  

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition on Southwark Council, Cllr Victor Chamberlain 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. I welcome this action by the Regulator of Social Housing which is a vindication of what residents and the Liberal Democrats have been saying for years.  

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.”