Stockport Council housing services awarded highest consumer grading by regulator

Stockport Council’s housing services, run by arm’s length management organisation (ALMO) Stockport Homes, have been awarded the highest consumer grading by the sector’s regulator.

Under its new consumer inspection programme, the Regulator of Social Housing awarded the borough’s housing services a C1 grading, the highest level possible. The inspection is part of the Regulator’s strengthened consumer standards regime introduced across the social housing sector nationally?and?provides independent assurance for residents that their homes are being managed in line with expected consumer standards.?

The regulator found the council and Stockport Homes Group are meeting the required consumer standards for residents across safety and quality of homes, repairs and maintenance services, complaints handling and resident engagement. These areas were assessed in terms of the experience of residents living in council homes, including how safe their homes are, how quickly issues are addressed, how concerns are handled, and how residents?are able to?influence services.? 

The judgement recognises the strong collaboration between the Council and SHG, and confirms that?resident’s?safety, wellbeing and consumer standards are being met. The Regulator assessed the focus on essential areas including the safety and quality of homes, transparency and accountability,?neighbourhood?and community engagement, and how residents are listened to and treated. The Regulator spoke directly to?residents?to understand their lived experience of council housing services.? 

The Regulator concluded that the required standards?are being met, with strong systems in place to?identify?and resolve issues and a clear focus on treating tenants fairly and respectfully. It also found that residents are given meaningful opportunities to influence services and decision-making.? 

The findings provide independent reassurance that key consumer standards are being met across the council’s housing services, while recognising the importance of continuing to listen to residents and improve services over time.? 

Cllr Jake Austin,?Stockport? Council’s Cabinet? Member for Housing & Environment, said:

“This inspection provides important independent reassurance that?strong standards?are in place across our housing services and in the way we work with Stockport Homes.? We know housing services are hugely important to people’s day-to-day lives, and residents rightly expect safe homes, responsive services?and working to resolve problems where they occur.? We’re?pleased with this outcome because it confirms we are serving Stockport residents well and meeting expected standards. Importantly, it also provides reassurance that when issues arise, we have the right systems and plans in place to respond and keep improving services for?our?residents.”

Carmel Chambers, Chief Executive of Stockport Homes, said:

“We’re?extremely proud of the Regulator’s verdict on the delivery of our council housing services.??This reflects the commitment of our colleagues and Board, and the strength of our partnership with Stockport Council. We?remain?absolutely focused on listening to customers, acting on?feedback?and continually improving the services that support people to live safe and well in their homes and neighbourhoods. We know there is always more to do, and the safety and wellbeing of our customers will always be our number one priority.”

Steve Partridge, Chair of the Stockport Homes Board, added:

“This judgement confirms that the foundations in place for managing the Council’s homes are strong. It also reinforces the Board’s role in supporting continuous improvement and ensuring that residents?remain?at the heart of everything we do.? The Regulator also specifically recognised the importance of the collaborative relationship between Stockport Council and Stockport Homes in delivering positive outcomes for residents as well as the passionate and committed staff we have delivering services to customers.”

The Council and Stockport Homes will continue to build on this work as part of their upcoming Housing Delivery Plan for 2026–31, with resident feedback helping to shape improvements to homes and neighbourhoods across the borough.?