Sandwell Council has published its Annual Housing Report for Tenants and Leaseholders 2025 and Annual Complaints Report.
These give residents a clear update on progress and improvements made over the past year.
Following the Regulator of Social Housing’s C3 judgement in October 2024, the council has taken decisive action to raise standards. The Housing Report highlights:
Stock condition surveys being carried out on all Sandwell homes
A new contract in place to deal with the outstanding backlog of home repairs
A new housing management system to track repairs more effectively
£46.7million invested in modernising homes
8,891 home checks completed to support tenants and keep properties safe
Councillor Vicki Smith, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We want to ensure all tenants live in good quality and safe homes and are committed to making the necessary improvements as quickly as possible.
“These reports demonstrate our dedication to accountability and transparency, as we strive to meet the obligations set by the Regulator of Social Housing. They outline our achievements, address areas where we need to improve, and showcase the positive impact of our collaborative efforts with tenants.
“This past year has seen its share of challenges, including the cost-of-living pressures many of our residents continue to face. However, I am proud of the way our team has responded, by providing support and developing innovative solutions. These reports provide a detailed account of these efforts.”
Phillippe Brown, Chair of the Tenant and Leaseholder Scrutiny Group, for Sandwell Council, said: “This report reflects the voices of tenants and leaseholders. We’ve seen real progress and a stronger community spirit from our collaboration but, most importantly, residents’ feedback is now shaping the way Sandwell Council delivers housing services.”
The Complaints Report shows how the council is learning from feedback, with 890 complaints received in 2024/25. Improvements include:
Staff complaint-handling training
A new compensation policy
A more personal approach that considers tenant vulnerability