The Housing Assurance Board was scheduled to consider a range of housing-related matters, including updates on estate services, readiness for regulatory inspection, and the best use of the council's housing stock. The meeting was also scheduled to review several Status on a Page reports covering personal emergency evacuation plans, aids and adaptations, preparedness for Awaab's Law, and heat networks.

Estate Services, Caretaking, and Environmental Services

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on estate services, caretaking, and environmental services, with a focus on improving standards on council estates. Tenant satisfaction with the maintenance of communal areas had reportedly increased from 48% in 2024/25 to 59% in 2025/26. The report was expected to detail the work undertaken to date and future plans for improvement. Services provided by the estate team include those from four Estate Team Managers, 50 Caretakers, six Handypersons, and six Bulk Waste Driver/Loaders. The Estate Improvement Team, which went live in 2026, was scheduled to present its work on resident-led estate improvement requests valued below £20,000. This team focuses on areas such as improving access, waste collection, landscaping, designing out crime, and enhancing communal areas. The report was also scheduled to cover the grounds maintenance contract, which went live on 30 October 2025, and involved three contractors: Krinkels UK, Cleanscapes, and Greener Solutions. The caretaking service was scheduled to highlight increased focus on performance management, investment in materials and equipment, and the use of a new inspection app and deployable CCTV cameras. The Handyperson Team's work, including block deep cleans and improvement works, was also scheduled for discussion. Furthermore, the report was to detail the Veolia Housing Improvement Plan, implemented from 1 September, designed to enhance cleansing standards on estates.

Readiness for Inspection

The Board was scheduled to consider a report outlining Croydon Council's preparedness for an inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH), anticipated in 2027. The report was expected to detail the Housing Directorate's position against the RSH's five consumer standards and the work undertaken to ensure compliance. The council's ambition was to achieve a minimum C2 rating, indicating some weaknesses but requiring improvement in specific areas. The report was to cover the self-assessment and mock inspection process, the Housing Improvement Programme, improvement governance, the role of the Housing Assurance Board itself, the document library, and a communication and engagement plan. It was also scheduled to detail the council's position regarding the Competence and Conduct Standard, the Tenancy Standard, the Neighbourhood and Community Standard, the Transparency, Influence, and Accountability Standard, and the Safety and Quality Standard. The report was to recommend that the Board note its contents and the actions being taken to support the Housing Service in achieving a minimum C2 rating.

Best Use of Council Housing Stock

A report was scheduled to be presented on how the council is making the best use of its existing housing stock. This includes strategies to create additional homes from existing buildings and land, increase the supply of larger family accommodation, ensure consistent consideration of opportunities through void and capital programmes, and identify properties that could be combined or reconfigured. The report was also to address improving the use of under-occupied, adapted, or under-used homes, and aligning these efforts within the Asset Management Plan. Furthermore, it was scheduled to cover efforts to identify and prevent fraud, including the unlawful use of council and temporary accommodation, and recovering misused homes. The report was to propose a clearer delivery framework with named owners, milestones, and measures to monitor additional housing capacity, resident outcomes, and value for money. Specific areas for discussion were to include extensions and conversions, de-conversions, downsizing and under-occupation, mutual exchanges, and fraud prevention related to tenancies, Right to Buy, temporary accommodation, and housing applications.

Status on a Page (SOAP) Reports

The Board was scheduled to receive four Status on a Page (SOAP) reports:

• Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (R-PEEPs) and Person-Centred Fire Risk Assessments (PCFRAs): This report was scheduled to provide an update on Croydon's approach to supporting residents who may require assistance to evacuate during a fire, in line with legislative requirements introduced in April 2026. The report was expected to note the established RPEEP and PCFRA arrangements and the latest evidenced figure of 395 PEEPs in place across the borough, with further work by tenancy continuing to seek cases.
• Aids and Adaptations: This report was scheduled to set out the service's position in relation to the requirements of the Safety and Quality Standard. In 2025/26, 141 adaptations were completed in 131 homes. The report was to highlight tenant feedback, improvements made to the service, and further areas for improvement, including contractor communication, programme management, delays, appointment reliability, and the timely resolution of defects.
• Preparedness for Awaab's Law Phase 2: This report was scheduled to outline Croydon's position regarding the introduction of Awaab's Law Phase 2 on 30 November 2026. This phase extends the statutory response to include additional hazards such as excess cold and heat, falls, structural safety, fire and electrical hazards, and domestic hygiene. The report was to reflect on the initial readiness review and implementation plan, setting out required actions and next steps to achieve compliance. The Board was to be informed that a structured implementation programme is in place, with full assurance remaining subject to completion and testing of various controls. The Board was also to be informed of any examples of best practice that the Council could compare its approach to.
• Heat Networks: This report was scheduled to set out Croydon's position in advance of Ofgem's regulation of heat networks, which becomes a requirement in January 2027. Compliance planning was underway for Croydon's 25 heat networks following an independently commissioned review, with work continuing alongside specialist partners to ensure readiness.

Housing Assurance Board Action Log and Progress Update

The Board was scheduled to receive the Housing Assurance Board Action Log and an update on actions arising from the previous Landlord meeting in July 2026.

Corporate Director's Update

A report was scheduled to provide the Housing Assurance Board with an overview of developments in the provision and regulation of social housing, including a summary of key developments and trends in the sector.

Housing Overview Report

This report was scheduled to update the Board on the operational performance of Housing Services, covering areas such as repairs, compliance, voids performance, and updates on items from the action log.

Forward Plan

The Board was scheduled to receive an update on the Forward Plan, outlining future agenda items and deep dives. The October Landlord meeting was noted to include deep dives on Estate Services, Caretaking and Environment; Readiness for Inspection; and Best Use of Existing Stock. The proposed Status on a Page (SOAP) updates regarding Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, Aids and Adaptations, Awaab's Law Phase Two, and Ofgem Heat Networks were also to be noted.