The Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee of Islington Council met on 6 January 2026 to discuss a range of housing-related issues. Key topics included an update on the tenancy audits programme, a consultation with families experiencing homelessness, the Q2 housing performance report, and an update on the council's stock condition survey. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming months.

Tenancy Audits Programme Update

The committee received an update on the council's tenancy audits programme, which was introduced in June 2025. The programme aims to verify tenant occupancy, update household records, identify stock condition issues, and proactively prevent tenancy fraud. Senior Housing Officers conduct home visits to check household records and property conditions, with a target of auditing all residents within a three-year cycle. The programme has been expanded to support vulnerable residents and is integrated with Adult Social Care to identify complex needs. The council is aiming for 100% coverage within three years, exceeding typical rates in other boroughs. The audits have led to a reduction in tenant complaints and an increase in positive feedback, with officers identifying issues such as safeguarding concerns and hoarding. The programme is closely linked to the recent restructure of the Housing Management team and the implementation of a patch model.

Housing Scrutiny Report - Consultation of Families Experiencing Homelessness

A report commissioned by Homeless Link, which consulted with families living in temporary accommodation, was presented. The consultation aimed to assess the quality and support provided to homeless applicants. Participants generally had positive initial contact with homelessness services, valuing the physical standard of temporary accommodation and the skills of officers. However, views were mixed on the urgency and efficiency of case management, with concerns raised about the suitability of initial placements and a lack of follow-up regarding long-term housing offers and changes in caseworkers. Some participants felt their accommodation was not sufficiently large for families with more than one child. Recommendations included advising applicants about the housing allocation process, developing a procedure for informing residents of caseworker changes, providing regular check-ins, improving information sharing between teams, and reviewing placements for larger families.

Quarter 2 Housing Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Quarter 2 Housing Performance report, which highlighted progress in repairs, building safety, and tenant satisfaction. The council is investing over £97 million annually to ensure all homes meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2028. Tenant satisfaction measures indicate that residents feel safe, respected, and heard. The report noted a fall in the number of complaints, attributed to increased staffing levels, a new IT system, and the restructuring of the Housing Management Team. However, it was acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in complaint handling.

Key performance indicators showed:

• Decent Homes Standard: 4% of homes did not meet the standard, placing Islington in the upper London quartile. An increased investment budget and a dedicated Decency Taskforce are in place to address this.
• Repairs: 81% of non-emergency repairs were completed within the target timescale, placing Islington in the lower-middle London quartile, while 96% of emergency repairs were completed on time, placing it in the upper-middle quartile.
• Building Safety: Performance for gas, fire, and lift safety checks remained strong or improved, though there was a slight dip in water safety checks due to contractor delays. Asbestos safety checks saw a significant improvement.
• Anti-social Behaviour (ASB): There were 17 recorded cases of ASB per 1,000 properties, with improvements in recording practices contributing to the figures.
• Complaints: Islington received 39 Stage 1 complaints per 1,000 homes, with 85% responded to within the Housing Ombudsman's timescales. Stage 2 complaints were higher than the London median, but response times were better.
• Tenancy Satisfaction Measures (TSM): Overall satisfaction increased to 68%, with improvements noted across most satisfaction measures, placing Islington in the upper London quartile for many indicators.
• Temporary Accommodation and Rough Sleeping: 17 per 1,000 households were in temporary accommodation, lower than some neighbouring boroughs. The number of people sleeping rough increased slightly to 19, attributed to external factors and a lack of provision in other boroughs.
• Rent Arrears: Rent arrears stood at 4.6% of the rent roll, a decrease from the previous year, despite challenges related to the PFI2 housing stock.

Update on the Council's Stock Condition Survey

The committee received an update on the council's stock condition survey, which is crucial for ensuring all council homes are warm, safe, and fit to live in. The survey, being conducted by Ridge and Partners LLP, aims to provide a 100% internal and external assessment of all homes, including Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). The survey began in mid-August 2025, and by the end of November, 1,942 surveys had been completed. The data collected will inform the Decent Homes Standard calculations and identify properties needing urgent attention. The survey has identified a low number of Category 1 hazards, with most relating to safety features like CO2 and smoke alarms, where some residents have been found to be removing them. The council is developing a communications plan to address this. The survey also includes commissioning over 7,000 EPCs to refine energy banding data. The council is investing in its stock, with plans to increase the annual investment budget to £97 million to tackle non-decent homes by December 2028. A Decency Taskforce has been established to review non-decent homes and develop a financed plan of action.

Work Programme 2025/2026

The committee noted its work programme for the upcoming months. Draft recommendations for the review into homelessness will be considered at the next meeting in February. A member enquired about rescheduling the meeting on 17 March due to its clash with St Patrick's Day.

The meeting concluded with the Chair thanking officers for their reports.