We're taking legal action against tenants refusing access and risking safety in their home

We have reinforced our commitment to the safety of our tenants by taking decisive action against individuals who refuse access to their home for essential inspections.

These inspections are not only a legal requirement but a critical safeguard for the health, safety, and wellbeing of tenants.

Reasons for these visits include stock condition surveys, asbestos surveys, electrical safety checks, gas safety inspections, fire risk assessments, lift servicing, water hygiene checks (Legionella) and damp and mould inspections.

For just gas inspections alone, over the last 12 months there have been 3,175 first visit failed attempts, 1,433 on the second, and 878 on the third. These figures exclude further visits, showing not only the scale of the problem, but an idea of the amount of resource required.

Following two legal cases, in which we secured two court injunctions to enforce access, they are calling for cooperation and urge all tenants to work with them and their contractors.

In the first case, despite reporting damp and mould, access was refused for multiple inspections, and the tenant was verbally abusive. As a result, a three-year injunction was granted and an order to pay £377 in legal costs.

In another case the tenant initially refused access for electrical and fire door inspections. Although one inspection was later completed, the court recognised the ongoing risk and granted a lifetime injunction, along with ordering the tenant to pay £377 in legal costs.

This is a rare and significant ruling, mandating access for all future essential inspections.

Jo Brown, Community Resolution Officer said: “We understand that letting us into your home can feel intrusive, but these visits are necessary, and we only take legal action when we absolutely must.

“When access is denied, we are compelled to act for the safety of everyone involved. They are not only vital to protect lives, but to make sure we carry out upgrades and homes are invested in.

“If you’re a tenant we urge you to work with us, let us in for these checks and if you have any questions or concerns about visits to your home, please let us know.”

These actions reinforce our zero tolerance approach to non-compliance and its focus on tenant safety.