Services at Cherwell Housing Trust have dropped below acceptable standards, according to Audit Commission inspectors.

The Oxford-based registered social landlord, which manages 1500 homes, failed to comply with the Housing Corporation’s regulatory code because gas safety checks were poorly managed, inspectors said.

They also said the procurement and delivery of maintenance needed drastic improvement.

The inspection took place in March and the trust asked for help from the Housing Corporation as soon as the faults were brought to its attention, it emerged this week.

The corporation has since placed the trust under supervision because of this problem.

Trust chief executive Nick Yeeles said the Audit Commission’s report was fair and added that the RSL was addressing its weak points.

Source

Housing Today