The first case study we published explained the concept behind Home Safe to give a broader understanding of what we do. This case study looks at our applications process, how landlords become members of Home Safe and how the fee structure works. As always, this element of our service has benefitted from the lessons learned from previous schemes and allowed us to refine and improve subsequent schemes.

Having previously studied how our process filters out the worst performing landlords this study will look at how the outcome of this can inform the Local Authority on the most appropriate enforcement route. All this is scheme specific and set-up under the influence and control of the Local Authority.

The purpose behind our inspections is too gauge satisfactory landlord behaviour – are they facilitating the inspection and conducting remedial works in a timely fashion? If the answer to either of these questions is ‘no’ then we deem that to be unsatisfactory landlord behaviour (for which we have a process to manage), and, if unresolved, then we will bring it to the attention of the Local Authority.

On the latest scheme, in Great Yarmouth, we were seeing the average time to close issues following inspections was 69 days. Before the pandemic lockdowns this was 46 days. We therefore feel the processes we have in place to monitor and manage successful completion of remedial works are fit-for-purpose.

Home Safe’s purpose is to ‘help improve the Private Rented Sector in a sustainable way through the quality of housing and standard of tenancy management. Our staff demonstrate a commitment to this purpose every day in the work we do with our Local Authority partners and our member landlords.