The regulator’s annual Sector Risk Profile highlights health and safety as one of the key strategic issues facing the sector.
It warns social housing boards must be clear about their health and safety responsibilities, both for stock that they own and stock that they manage, to ensure that tenants are safe in their homes and staff are safe at work.
“Significant investments in fire safety measures are taking place in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire, but it is equally important that boards have the appropriate controls in place to ensure compliance with the full range of health and safety requirements,” the report states.
The report is designed to help registered providers, board members and others to understand their operating environment and to think about how their organisation can manage its risks.
The report also warns social housing groups about failing to meet stakeholder expectations.
“It is important that boards understand the specific issues that they face, carry out adequate stress testing and plan meaningful mitigations,” said the Chief Executive of the Regulator for Social Housing, Fiona MacGregor.
“We will look for assurance from providers that they have robust stress tests, internal control systems and appropriate risk management.
“The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire has seen unprecedented scrutiny of the social housing sector, landlords’ relationship with their tenants, and public interest in the sector’s wider social role.
“In this context providers must show how they are delivering on their social purpose and objectives, and meeting their promises and commitments.
“Where things go wrong providers should be open and transparent and look to put the issue right as quickly as possible. Failure to do so could not only undermine stakeholder confidence in individual providers but also affect the reputation of the sector as a whole,” she added.
Sector Risk Profile 2018 is available to read on the RSH website.
