• Regulator finds “serious failings” in C3 housing report published today
• £300m+ programme to upgrade City Corporation homes will drive major improvements
• Report says City Corporation understands issues it needs to address and is taking action to rectify failings identified 

The City of London Corporation says it accepts today’s Regulator of Social Housing’s (RSH) C3 grading and had already begun delivering wide-ranging improvements across its housing estates and services to address “long standing issues” noted in the report. The City Corporation is already working closely with the RSH to deliver the improvement plan. 

The City Corporation had recognised the extent of the work required, which will take some years to address, and referred itself to the regulator last summer. 

The organisation is investing over £300 million in its housing stock, through a new £211 million funding package agreed in December and its earlier £110 million investment programme. 

The works will improve the quality, safety and sustainability of its homes across London. The scheme is already delivering upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, heating, lifts, roofs, fire safety and electrical systems, and communal areas across its 12 housing estates in the Square Mile and six London boroughs. 

Like many councils, the City Corporation has faced pressures in financing improvement works for its social housing due to historic underfunding and the increase in fire and building safety regulation. 

The Square Mile’s governing body had already self-referred to the regulator over its historic backlog of residential electrical safety testing and fire risk actions, as it recognised the need for accelerated improvement. 

A C3 Consumer Standard grading means the regulator has found “serious failings in the landlord delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards and significant improvement is needed”. 

The inspection formed part of the Regulator of Social Housing’s programme for all local authorities and housing providers. The process is intended to check that landlords are meeting required standards and to highlight areas where further improvement is needed. 

However, the regulator did find “examples of improving performance” and noted the recent multi-million funding package. 

The report also said the City Corporation “understands the issues it needs to address and is taking action to rectify the failings identified”. It said the organisation was dealing effectively with anti-social behaviour, was committed to treating tenants with fairness and respect, and had improved how it works with residents and handles complaints. 

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said: 

“We recognised that there were historic issues in our housing stock, which is why we agreed a multi-million-pound housing investment action plan in December. We accept these findings in full and are determined to meet the standards our tenants deserve. 

“The safety and comfort of our residents is an absolute priority, and our funding package marks a significant investment in ensuring they receive the high-quality housing they deserve. 

“I want to reassure residents just how seriously we take this and how dedicated we are to improving our performance for everyone who lives in our homes.” 

Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Community & Children's Services Committee, Helen Fentimen said: 

“We are one year into a wide-ranging ten-year transformation which is tackling historic under-investment, and we are working at pace to deliver lasting improvements for residents. 

“I am pleased the regulator has recognised that we understand the issues we need to address and are already taking action to ensure all our homes meet the required standards to provide safe, good-quality homes.” 

The full report by the Regulator for Social Housing can be viewed at www.gov.uk/government/publications/city-of-london-corporation.  

Notes to editors 

ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION: 

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk. 

The organisation manages housing in the City of London, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, and Tower Hamlets.