Dear Tenant,
I’m writing to tell you about the findings of an independent inspection of Bury Council’s Housing Services by the Regulator of Social Housing. The regulator has given the council a C3 grading. This means it has identified serious failings in some of the standards we are expected to meet as your landlord, and that significant improvements are needed.
What did the inspection find?
The regulator found that, although our reported compliance with most health and safety requirements was good, we couldn’t provide sufficient assurance about the accuracy of that information or demonstrate that all required safety remedial work had been completed. It also identified weaknesses in how we manage outstanding fire safety work, damp and mould, and repairs. It also found that we haven’t always given tenants clear, accessible information about our services or enough opportunities to influence decisions and hold us to account. We accept these findings. You should be able to expect a safe, well-maintained home, reliable services and a proper say in decisions affecting you. We recognise that our services haven’t always met the standards you should expect, and I’m sorry for where we’ve fallen short.
What are we doing about it?
Since Housing Services returned directly to the council in February 2024, we’ve been working hard to address longstanding problems. Whilst we have strengthened our housing safety team, improved how we record and monitor safety work, reduced outstanding repairs and made changes to how we manage complaints and anti-social behaviour, we recognise that tenants will judge us by the service they experience rather than the changes we make behind the scenes. There is still significant work to do to deliver the standards tenants have a right to expect
The regulator recognised improvements already underway, including reductions in overdue repairs and work to improve the accuracy of our information. It also made clear that we need to demonstrate consistently better services and outcomes for tenants.
We are continuing to address outstanding safety work, improve repairs and strengthen the information we hold about our homes. The regulator will monitor our progress closely.
How will tenants be involved?
We know we need to do more to listen to tenants and involve you in decisions about your homes and services. We’re reviewing how tenants can have a greater say, receive information in ways that work for them and scrutinise our performance. We're working with tenant representatives to shape how tenants can scrutinise our performance, influence decisions and help us test whether changes are improving services in practice
We’ll be discussing the findings and next steps with tenant representatives on 23 November. We’ll also keep you informed about improvements through our housing communications.
What should you do if you have a concern?
If you’re worried about the safety or condition of your home, have an outstanding repair, or want to ask a question about the inspection findings, please contact us by ringing 0161 686 8000 or email housingenquiries@bury.gov.uk or write to us at Bury Council Town Hall, Knowsley Place, Bury, BL9 0SW.
If you need this information in another format or need help understanding it, please contact us using the details above.
You can also read the full inspection judgement on the Regulator of Social Housing’s website.
We want every tenant to feel safe in their home and confident in the services they receive. We know that confidence must be earned through the improvements we deliver.
Thank you.