Calls for RBH stock to be returned to council control

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Rochdale Borough Council has written to the Housing Secretary Michael Gove, confirming its intention to take back its housing stock from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

On Friday (18 November), the council called for required funding take back control of its housing stock, which was transferred to the mutual in 2012 for financial reasons. Prior to this, RBH managed the council-owned housing as an arm’s length management organisation.

The letter to Mr Gove said RBH had “failed in their most basic duty of care,” adding that “strengthening the Decent Homes Standard must be prioritised alongside an updated health and safety rating system.”

It continued: “The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on behalf of the local authorities has developed with government a pilot that would provide new powers to improve housing standards.

“We understand the Secretary of State is supportive of working with us on this so we look forward to seeing it being put into place along with the other measures to strengthen the rights of tenants that you have outlined. These and the proposed partnership between the government and the GMCA to increase protections for people living in private rented accommodation have the potential to greatly improve housing quality.

“We know that you have been central to the development of these proposals and welcome them being further progressed.

“In terms of our local situation, we are proposing two measures that will radically transform the quality of services being provided to people currently living in Rochdale Boroughwide Housing homes.

“The first is that the housing stock managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing is returned to the control of the local authority alongside the required funding.

“The second is that alongside the investigation being carried out by the Housing Ombudsman, in a similar way that commissioners are appointed to failing councils, you direct representatives of that body or the regulator Homes England to take temporary charge of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing until the organisation can regain the trust of its tenants, the council and government.”

The letter was signed by the council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Daniel Meredith, council leader Neil Emmott and the leader of the Rochdale Conservatives, Councillor John Taylor.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has been contacted for comment.