Tandridge District Council Failed to Complete Electrical Safety Checks on 400 Homes

Surrey-based Tandridge District Council has received a C4 grading by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) following “very serious failings,” that left 400 homes without electrical safety checks and over 1,000 overdue fire risk assessments, exposing tenants to risks of fire, electrocution and other injuries. 

The Surrey-based council had also failed to provide adequate records of stock condition surveys, repair performance or evidence of services. Commenting on their performance in meeting tenant needs, Chief of Regulatory Engagement at the RSH commented, "we cannot accept tenants' safety and wellbeing being put at risk." 

Since its findings, the RSH has urged Tandridge District Council to urgently create an action plan for improvement, addressing the scale of its issues and ensuring that the appropriate measures are implemented to ensure tenants are safe. 

Council’s duty to tenants 

Landlords in the UK have a legal responsibility to investigate and fix electrical hazards as part of their duty of care to tenants. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, tenants have the right to live in a property that is fit for human habitation at the beginning of their tenancy and throughout. This requires private and social landlords to act on complaints within a reasonable timeframe. 

No matter how small an issue may seem initially, electrical hazards can lead to fires, electric shocks and sometimes even fatalities.  

A landlord failing to act within a reasonable timeframe may cause tenants serious health and safety risks. The Social Housing (Regulation) Act, passed in 2023, increased obligations on social landlords designed to protect tenants from serious harm due to disrepair and home hazards, such as mould and damp, water damage, and structural defects. 

What can you do if your complaints are ignored? 

Since the RSH’s comments regarding Tandridge District Council, the Chairman of their housing committee has accepted the findings and said they are "developing a more detailed improvement plan." Those concerned about poor living conditions and disrepair within their social housing or council property can contact the Housing Ombudsman service (HOS) or seek legal advice for a housing disrepair claim if their housing provider ignores their reported complaints. 

HOS is an independent, impartial public body aiming to improve residents' lives and landlords' services through investigating housing complaints, even those which are long overdue. The Ombudsman upholds around 73% of tenant claims resulting in a maladministration finding, meaning a landlord has failed a legal, policy or process requirement. 

Tenants may also be able to claim compensation for inconvenience, stress, and any damage to their belongings caused by unresolved repairs. Seeking early legal advice can help clarify what rights and remedies are available. 

Premier Legal Assist can help 

If you live in a property affected by disrepair, such as faulty electrics, leaks, broken heating, or structural issues, and your landlord has failed to take action within a reasonable time following your reported complaints, then you may be entitled to take your claim further.   

Premier Legal Assist connects tenants with a panel of specialist 'no-win, no-fee' housing disrepair lawyers experienced in dealing with local councils and housing associations across the UK. 

To find out if you are eligible to make a ‘no-win, no-fee’ claim, complete our short form, and a member of our team will be in touch.