Inspection Results Reflect Progress and Next Steps for Kirklees Homes and Neighbourhoods Service
The Regulator of Social Housing has published its judgement following an inspection of Homes and Neighbourhood earlier this year.
What does the judgement show?
The judgement indicates that progress has been made over the last two and a half years and highlights areas where future improvements are needed, many of which are already underway.
What are Homes & Neighbourhoods doing well?
The Regulator noted sustained progress and significant improvements in how we manage damp, mould and condensation cases and acknowledged the structured plans in place to resolve issues relating to fire safety, both areas linked to the issuing of the 2024 Regulatory Notice which will now be removed.
The Regulator found that we are delivering an effective, efficient and timely repairs and maintenance service. These findings are supported by positive tenant feedback over the past year and reflected in the Tenant Satisfaction Measures published in the 2025/26 Annual Housing Report.
What was the overall grade?
The Regulator has given the us Consumer Standard grading of C3, which means it has concluded that there are some serious failings and that significant improvement is needed. We accept this grading, which replaces the Regulatory Notice that was issued in 2024.
What improvements are needed?
The main areas of focus identified by the Regulator relates to the information we hold on the condition of our homes (stock condition) and how we manage anti-social behaviour. The judgement also identifies tenant scrutiny and complaint response times as areas for improvement.
What happens next?
The Regulatory Judgement recognises that we are engaging constructively with the Regulator and has already begun work on an improvement plan to address the issues identified as it continues to improve. This improvement plan will set out the actions, timescales and governance arrangements that will drive progress. Delivery will be overseen through existing governance arrangements and monitored through continued engagement with the Regulator. Throughout this improvement journey the safety, security, and experience of its tenants will remain our priority.
David Shepherd, Executive Director of Place at Kirklees Council, said:
“We have made significant progress since the Regulatory Notice was issued in 2024, and I welcome the fact that the Regulator has recognised that work.
“We are on our improvement journey. We recognise the serious failings and weaknesses identified through this inspection that still require improvement and I am confident that we have plans in place to address these areas. We will use the Regulator’s findings to ensure that improvements lead to better outcomes for our tenants.”
Councillor Philip James, Cabinet member for Housing and Physical Communities, said:
“The Regulatory Judgement is an important moment for the council and for our tenants. It gives us a clear assessment of where we are making progress and where further improvement is needed.
“We are not starting from scratch. Work is underway, but we know we need to go further and faster in some areas. We will continue to work with tenants, staff, councillors and the Regulator to deliver the improvements required.”
Antionette, Chair of a Tenant Led Panel, said:
“As tenants we acknowledge much has improved in Homes and Neighbourhoods and the efforts to get things right. This progress is good and it is important but we know that there is much further to go as has been highlighted in the Inspection.
“We will continue to work with the council to put tenants front and centre in all discussions and planning. We will ask questions and challenge robustly where we need to do so in order that tenants can see and experience the improvements needed.”
The inspection took place in summer 2026 and was the council’s first under the Regulator of Social Housing’s current inspection programme. The council will publish its improvement plan on its website once it is finalised.