02 September 2005
Audit Commission inspectors have promised to discover more about the work of housing associations after just two-thirds of landlords said they were satisfied with a new inspection system.
The commission took over the inspection of registered social landlords from the Housing Corporation two years ago, although major changes, including the introduction of star ratings, came into force only in 2004/05.
According to a survey of 64 RSLs by the National Housing Federation, levels of satisfaction with the commission vary between 82% in the south of England to just over 50% in London and the North.
Just a third of small housing associations were happy with their inspection. Since the survey was carried out, the commission has scrapped inspections of most RSLs with fewer than 1,000 homes.
Many inspectors struggled to understand concepts such as shared ownership, as well as the operations of RSL groups and new associations set up following stock transfers from local authorities.
Following the report, published on August 15, the commission has unveiled a joint nine-point action plan with the NHF.
The federation's chief executive, David Orr, said the survey had revealed concerns about the consistency of inspections. 'There is work to be done to ensure that everyone gets the most out of inspection,' he added.
Roy Irwin, chief inspector of housing at the Audit Commission, said he wanted to see better inspections to help RSLs and other parts of the housing service improve.
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