Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of tenant engagement and scrutiny arrangements at councils for maintaining suitable housing standards, including at Basildon Borough Council.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing.

Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible.

Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants.

Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them.

The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.