Gove ‘names and shames’ councils and housing associations

Michael Gove has sent out a flurry of highly critical letters in an attempt to “name and shame” poorly performing housing associations and councils. The letters follow numerous findings of “severe maladministration” by the Housing Ombudsman. In a series of 13 letters, Gove said he would “name and shame” those who are “not delivering the quality of service that residents should expect to receive”. Firms receiving letters include Catalyst Housing Association, Hyde Group, Inquilab Housing, Metropolitan Thames Valley, Notting Hill Genesis, PA Housing and Sovereign Housing Association. Councils receiving letters include Camden, Westminster, Lambeth, Milton Keynes, Nottingham and Tandridge. All were told they had failed their residents. In several of the letters, Gove underlined that fact that he was being compelled to write “again”. “You have once again failed your residents,” he told Catalyst. Lambeth was similarly reprimanded for “repeated failures”. Gove told PA Housing boss Michael McDonagh that he was “extremely disappointed” to be writing again, adding the poor level of service given to some tenants was “staggering”. Camden was reprimanded for failing to address fire safety concerns in more than 9,000 properties. Gove wrote: “It is extremely concerning that so many of your tenants were put at risk in such a way,” adding he was “profoundly troubled by these failings”. “Your properties should meet the standards expected and you must meet your obligations to your tenants,” he wrote. “Your management of thousands of your homes has fallen below these standards, and I am deeply shocked by the gravity and sheer multitude of failings in this case.” Milton Keynes was rebuked for its “unacceptable complaint handling”. Gove also wrote to MTV chief executive Geeta Nanda regarding “a further finding of severe maladministration by the Housing Ombudsman” regarding its responses to residents and its fire safety record. “This is simply not acceptable,” Gove wrote. However, he acknowledged steps had been taken to improve matters. Gove told a number, including MTV and Westminster, that he would be “taking a personal interest”. In Westminster’s case this was after it failed to address concerns over mould in a timely fashion. Others were criticised for their “poor response”, “sub-standard record keeping” and “complacence”. To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Image © Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock