Council chiefs to consider Leeds social housing report

Senior councillors in Leeds will consider the outcome of an inspection into social rented housing at a meeting next week.

At the meeting of the council’s executive board to be held at the Civic Hall on Wednesday 22 July, members will discuss a report into the findings of the inspection carried out by the Regulator of Social Housing.

This report highlights the areas of success and good practice praised by the inspector, as well as an update on work being done to address the weaknesses identified in the regulatory judgement.

The update follows an inspection report published in March by the Regulator of Social Housing. This inspection gave Leeds a C2 rating, the second-highest available, following an assessment of council housing landlord functions. To see more on the March inspection report visit https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/inspectors-set-out-positive-way-forward-for-councils-housing-service.

While acknowledging some key areas of strength, the inspection also highlighted that information on the condition of some homes needed updating and that some electrical safety inspections were overdue. These were areas the council had already identified for improvement and work was already underway.

At the time of the inspection, around 58 per cent of council homes had received a full stock condition survey within the previous five years. This reflected the historic use of surveys focused on specific elements of properties, rather than comprehensive whole-home assessments, alongside the pause in surveying activity during 2020 and 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

By April 2026, this had increased to around 67 per cent. The council is continuing to accelerate the programme and expects around 95 per cent of its housing stock to have received a full condition survey by the end of 2027.

In both areas identified for improvement, the Regulator of Social Housing is satisfied with the actions in place and progress being made. Quarterly meetings are to be held with the regulator, with the aim of the council being in a position to seek a re-grading assessment early next year.

Leeds City Council executive member for housing and hubs Councillor Asghar Khan said:

“Leeds City Council is one of the biggest social housing landlords in the country, managing 52,500 homes, and we are committed to providing the best possible living conditions with the highest standards of management and maintenance for all council tenants.

“We welcomed the regulator’s report in March which highlighted the excellent work being undertaken in Leeds, and the importance of continuing to push the standards as high as possible. It is pleasing to see the progress being made in the areas identified, and we hope to be in a position for a reassessment to secure the highest inspection rating soon.”

To see the report to be considered by the executive board, go to Council and democracy (item 12).

ENDS

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