The Audit Commission has highlighted some areas in which council landlord services are performing badly, pointing out where there is room for improvement.

Tenants residing in Rutland council-managed properties are receiving a “poor service” from their landlords, according to the report, particularly with regard to the speed of repairs and vacant property turnaround times.

“Significant improvements are needed,” head of housing for the commission’s central region Martin Palmer said. “A comprehensive improvement plan has been agreed, targets have been set and some progress has been made.”

Among the goals set for the region is improved dissemination of information to tenants, as well as a stricter adherence to the Commission for Racial Equality’s code of practice when letting.

Gloucester Housing Association also came under fire, with the commission’s criticisms including disproportionate costs for services supplied, delayed repair work and slow progress on equality.

“The service currently provided by the association is unsatisfactory in a number of areas,” commission inspector for the south-west Keith Colgan said.

He did recognise the efforts of staff in working to improve the association’s performance and the report highlighted better risk management strategies and a focus on value for money as key goals for the future.

A public organisation, the Audit Commission monitors the way in which public funds are utilised in offering good quality services to the community.

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