Research and analysis

CORS survey November 2020 responses report - overview

Updated 14 May 2021

Applies to England

This is the summary from the eighth of our temporary monthly surveys about how providers are managing some of the challenges they face as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Providers were asked to submit survey responses covering the period up to and including 30 November by 7 December. This includes the majority of the period under additional national restrictions, before the return to tiered restrictions in England. The response rate was 93% and we are grateful to all providers who responded.

Despite the introduction of additional national restrictions, providers’ responses showed that the delivery of services remained stable in November.

The number of providers who had completed all or most gas safety, fire compliance, asbestos, electrical, legionella and lift checks was similar to the previous three months. Across the sector, gas safety compliance is reported to be broadly back to pre-coronavirus levels.

Almost all providers reported no material backlog in emergency repairs and the vast majority continued to deliver all responsive repairs in November. A minority reported that they had either paused non-emergency repairs during the additional national restrictions or that they have extended their target timescales for completing non-emergency repairs, reflecting current challenges.

Most care and support providers reported that staffing was at normal levels, but some continue to report pressures due to higher levels of staff absence. These care and support providers report they have contingency plans in place and are continuing to maintain safe staffing levels. During the additional national restrictions, some care and support providers report reverting to practices adopted for the first lockdown such as closing of communal areas or delivering some services remotely. Some care and support providers reported preparing for the Covid-19 vaccination programme, including for example ensuring they have the appropriate staff and tenant consents.

Many providers report anticipating increased constraints arising from a second wave of Covid-19 and further lockdowns. Some providers describe challenges with accessing the properties of a small minority of tenants, and their own and their contractors’ staffing capacity. Providers continue to express concern about Covid-19 compounding challenges usually faced over winter such as staffing capacity, staff wellbeing, and supplies of materials and personal protective equipment. But overall, providers report that they have appropriate systems and processes in place to manage the operational impact of continued restrictions.

Next steps

As we explained in last month’s report, from 2021 we will be reducing the frequency of survey returns to bi-monthly. We will review the future role of the CORS again in March 2021.

The submission dates for the next two CORS are shown in the table below.

Data up to and including	Submission by
31 January	5 February
31 March	9 April

CORS is not a regulatory return. If a provider believes tenant safety is threatened or viability is under strain, they should not wait for the survey but should speak to their key contact at the regulator, 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.