Regulator of Social Housing issues C1 grading to Guildford Borough Council
Regulator of Social Housing issues C1 grading to Guildford Borough Council
Guildford Borough Council (GBC) has achieved a Consumer Standards C1 grading, the highest grading possible, following a recent assessment of its Housing Service by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).
The RSH has confirmed this is the first C3 to C1 upgrade.
This new grading indicates that the Council meets the consumer standards set by the regulator and effectively addresses and resolves problems when they are identified. It confirms that services are safe, well managed and compliant.
Joint Chief Executive Officer at Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council, Pedro Wrobel, said:
“We welcome the findings from the Regulator, which demonstrates the significant progress we’ve made in improving our housing services over the last two years.
“This is all about our residents, and our determination to ensure that we provide them with the homes and services they deserve. This C1 rating is the result of extraordinarily hard work by our landlord services team, wider staff and partners, and I pay tribute to them for their commitment, professionalism and dedication. I’m incredibly proud of them, and it’s fantastic to see their work recognised in this way demonstrating just how far we’ve come. I’m hugely grateful to the Regulator for their support and challenge ensuring we get things right.
“Over the past two years, the passion and commitment shown by every member of the team has transformed our landlord service into the strong, resident focused service we are delivering today. We know we have more to do, and we remain fully committed to ensuring our residents’ homes are safe, decent and of the standard they deserve.”
Joint Strategic Director of Housing, Communities and Environment at Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council, Julian Higson said:
“A C1 rating is a positive achievement and meeting these standards is the baseline residents rightly expect. We will continue to work through our Housing Improvement Plan to improve housing services, strengthen resident engagement and ensure that safety and quality remain at the centre of our work.”
Joint Assistant Director of Housing Services at Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council, Annalisa Howson added:
“I’m very proud of the teams who have worked so hard to get us to this point. We know this rating doesn’t mean we’re perfect, and there is more to do. We won’t be complacent; we remain fully focused on working closely with our tenants to continually improve the quality of our housing services.
“I’d like to thank the RSH for their support throughout our responsive engagement, and our Tenant Engagement Group for their ongoing challenge and support. Together, we’re building the foundations for a stronger, more responsive housing service for the future.”
Chair of the Tenant Engagement Group, Alan Wood said:
“As Chair of the Tenant Engagement Group (TEG), I’ve seen first-hand how the Council has improved the way they work with us, listening and treating us with fairness and respect. There’s a real culture of openness now, and our views are actively shaping the way services are delivered. Tenants have been directly involved in reviewing empty homes standards and coproducing the council’s newsletter, which shows just how seriously we’re being taken. Our monthly TEG meetings give us a clear voice in decision making through the Housing Operations Board, and we can see the impact of our feedback. These changes have made a real difference. Tenants now feel heard, valued and more confident that the Council is acting with transparency and accountability.”
Image above: Julian Higson, Joint Strategic Director, Housing, Communities and Environment, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council
Image above: Pedro Wrobel, Joint Chief Executive, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council
Image above: Joint Assistant Director, Housing Services, Guildford Borough Council and Waverley Borough Council
Notes to Editor
Due to the pre-election period in Surrey beginning on the 23 March, we’re unable to provide any councillor quotes.
What is a C1 grading?
The RSH Consumer grade C1 confirms that overall, the Council is delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards. It is the highest consumer grade available under the RSH’s regulatory framework.
What are the four consumer standards?
The four consumer standards are:
- Safety and quality standard
- Transparency, influence and accountability standard
- Neighbourhood and community standard
- Tenancy standard
What does this grading tell us?
This grading confirms that our services are safe, well managed and compliant, with no evidence of systemic failures or serious risk to residents. It does not mean we get everything right all the time
What C1 shows about our services
- Residents are safe: Building safety, repairs, and compliance are being managed to the standard expected by the Regulator.
- Services are reliable: The council has effective systems in place for core housing functions, including repairs and case handling.
- Data is strong: Our records are sufficiently accurate, complete and well-maintained to support safe decision making.
- Residents’ voices are heard: The Regulator is satisfied that we are engaging properly with tenants and learning from feedback.
- Governance is sound: Leadership oversight, reporting and checks are functioning appropriately. Confidence that would identify and address any issues.
Why the C1 judgement matters
- It provides external, independent assurance to residents that we are meeting national standards.
- It reflects the hard work of teams across the council to maintain safe, compliant and responsive services.
- It gives us a strong foundation for continuous improvement and future service development.
- The RSH publishes all decisions. A C1 grading places us among the minority of providers meeting all consumer standards, which is a strong position within the sector.
Press contact: Stephanie Maynard – email Stephanie.Maynard@guildford.gov.uk