Cabinet approves landlord service improvement plan

Cabinet considered an update on Monday 29 June outlining the work already under way and the next steps in developing a detailed Landlord Service Improvement Plan.

The plan focuses on four key priorities: improving the quality of housing data, strengthening repairs and property safety, increasing opportunities for tenants to influence services, and making it easier for residents to access information about their homes and the council's performance.

Planned improvements include introducing a single asset management system to provide a clearer picture of the condition of council homes, carrying out rolling stock condition surveys, improving repairs performance monitoring and accelerating electrical safety inspections.

The council will also work to achieve full smoke alarm compliance, strengthen procedures where access to properties cannot be gained, and introduce improved compliance monitoring.

Alongside these operational improvements, the council will strengthen its Tenant Engagement Framework, improve its understanding of tenants' needs through better data, and refresh housing information on its website to make it more accessible and transparent.

Governance arrangements are already in place to oversee delivery of the programme, with regular performance monitoring, dedicated project groups and ongoing involvement from both tenants and elected members.

A full improvement plan will continue to be developed in partnership with the Regulator of Social Housing and will be brought back to Cabinet later this year.

Cllr Claire Edwards, Rugby Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Communities, Housing and Safety, said: "This improvement plan is about making sure our tenants receive the safe, high-quality housing service they deserve.

"We've already started work in a number of key areas, but we recognise there is still much more to do.

“The plan provides a clear framework for strengthening our services, improving the information we hold about our homes, listening more effectively to tenants and ensuring we continue to meet the standards expected of us.

"We'll continue to work closely with tenants, councillors and the Regulator of Social Housing as we implement this programme, and we'll be open about the progress we make along the way."

The council's overall ambition is to deliver a landlord service that provides safe, well-managed homes, gives tenants a stronger voice in shaping services and demonstrates continuous improvement across all aspects of housing management.