Norwich City Council has been awarded the highest possible rating for its social housing services following a recent inspection by the Regulator of Social Housing. The council, which manages approximately 14,000 homes in Norwich, received a C1 consumer grade in April 2026, making it one of only nine local councils in the country to achieve this top distinction.
The rating indicates that the council is successfully meeting consumer standards by identifying issues and putting plans in place to address them. This result follows a period of significant scrutiny for the council. In October 2021, the local authority reported itself to the regulator after discovering it had failed to complete necessary safety inspections related to fire, electrical, water, and asbestos risks in thousands of properties. Furthermore, between April 2023 and March 2024, the Housing Ombudsman identified more than 40 instances of maladministration regarding council housing, including a case where a tenant was hospitalised after damp and mould concerns went unresolved for nearly three years.
To improve its services, the council has established a dedicated damp and mould team with updated processes. Officials also report that 99.6% of its housing stock now meets the Decent Homes Standard. Additionally, the council is investing £53 million over five years into its properties to fund improvements such as wall and loft insulation, draught-proofing, and heating system upgrades.
Davina Howes, the council’s Executive Director for Communities and Housing, oversees these landlord services and compliance efforts. While the council has reached this new milestone, the recognition marks the first time it has received a consumer grade under the current regulatory system, reflecting an effort to resolve long-standing service failures.
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