Housing regulator improvement consultancy support

Gravesham Borough Council received a Grade 4 (lowest) regulatory judgment from the Regulator of Social Housing in December 2025, citing very serious failings in housing safety, data accuracy, fire safety management, and governance. The Council must urgently procure external consultancy support to develop and implement a Comprehensive Improvement Plan to address these critical issues. Key areas requiring support include: conducting accurate stock condition surveys, implementing Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments, verifying decent homes standards, establishing fire safety remediation controls, and improving transparency and accountability processes. The consultant will provide independent expertise to restore regulatory confidence, conduct a full assessment of current housing conditions and processes, develop immediate and long-term remediation strategies with associated budgets, and help the Council demonstrate that tenant safety standards are met or adequately mitigated. The Council lacks internal capacity and expertise to address these issues at the required pace. The engagement will enable fortnightly Regulator meetings to demonstrate serious commitment to improvement and provide assurance to residents and regulators that housing safety standards will be achieved.