Housing association with properties across Wirral fails audit

Nov 26 2008 by Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

A HOUSING association with 1,300 homes across Wirral and Liverpool has been given a “zero” star rating by the Audit Commission.

The watchdog said Venture Housing Association, which has homes in Birkenhead, provided a “poor” and “below acceptable” service to tenants.

Inspectors found an inefficient repair service and no process of ensuring value for money.

They also found serious issues in the timing and quality of gas servicing, with an unacceptable number of properties without a valid gas certificate.

VHA’s chief executive John Tolen said he was “disappointed” by the result and felt it did not reflect what the association had achieved in some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.

Yvonne Davies, head of housing for the North at the Audit Commission, said: “The services provided by VHA are below the acceptable standard that we would expect to see.

“Services have not been developed in line with changing expectations.”

Inspectors found considerable weaknesses in asset management and diversity and criticised the landlord for tenants struggling to access services and not knowing the level of service they should expect to receive.

However, the inspectors found strengths in individual officers’ customer service and the organisation’s response to anti-social behaviour, vulnerable tenants and debt advice.

Ms Davies added: “There is now a drive within VHA to improve services, with a positive change seen in some areas such as income management and estate management in recent months.”