CORS survey May 2020 responses report – overview
Updated 14 May 2021
Applies to England
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This is the summary from the second of our temporary monthly surveys to establish up-to-date information about how providers are coping with some of the current challenges they face as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
We asked private registered providers with 1,000 or more homes, local authority social landlords and those providers with fewer than 1,000 homes which have a high proportion of supported accommodation to respond to the survey. The response rate was good (98%) and we are grateful to all the providers that responded. The evidence suggests the sector is continuing to maintain adequate levels of service delivery in the areas surveyed. Almost all emergency repairs are being completed, and care and support settings continue to maintain safe staffing levels and essential services. This has been achieved by the sustained and committed efforts of providers and their staff in adapting to the changing circumstances.
Many of the constraints that providers identified in the first survey have improved slightly, including availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), the robustness of the supply chain, and staffing levels in care and support services.
However, compared to April, a higher number of providers are reporting that they are currently completing most, rather than all, gas safety checks. Many providers tell us that they normally operate a 10- or 11-month gas servicing cycle to mitigate against the risk of failing to meet the 12-month statutory cycle should problems arise. In the current circumstances the effectiveness of this mitigation is diminishing and as a result the backlogs of gas safety checks are rising and are likely to continue to rise. Challenges with access to properties and the reduced reporting of repairs also mean that backlogs of routine repairs and some safety checks continue to rise. Many are now starting to plan and implement recovery plans.
We will repeat this survey for the period to 19 June; with returns due by 26 June, and will publish our analysis of the responses shortly afterwards. However, if providers believe tenant safety is threatened or viability is under strain, they should not wait for the survey but should speak to their key contact, or our Referrals and Regulatory Enquiries team, via enquiries@rsh.gov.uk or 0300 124 5225. Providers with fewer than 1,000 homes should use our dedicated email address SmallProviders@rsh.gov.uk.