Red Kite is a tenant-led, not for profit, charitable housing organisation. Red Kite are registered with the Regulator of Social Housing who monitor and regulate what they do to make sure that they meet the standards for managing and maintaining homes. Red Kite tenants and leaseholders have a really important role in making sure that Red Kite keep to the promises that were made in the Housing Transfer Offer Document and they have lots of ways for them to get involved to help make sure that this happens. Red Kite manage around 6,000 homes which were transferred from the Council in December 2011. These are mainly on estates in the urban centres of High Wycombe, Princes Risborough and Marlow, with others on estates in rural areas such as Lane End, Stokenchurch and Bourne End.
RSH Narrative Regulatory Judgement
Provider: Red Kite Community Housing Limited
Regulatory code: 4682
Publication date: 28 July 2021
Governance grade: G2
Viability grade: V1
Reason for publication: Changed basis for governance grade
Regulatory route: In Depth Assessment
This regulatory judgement confirms the regulator’s existing G2/V1 assessment of Red Kite Community Housing Limited’s (Red Kite) governance and viability.
In a judgement published in January 2020, we concluded that improvements were required to Red Kite’s control framework to ensure that key financial controls were robust, operating in line with established policies and procedures and with appropriate leadership oversight. This followed a significant financial loss as a result of a fraud.
Based on evidence gained from an In Depth Assessment (IDA), the regulator has assurance that Red Kite continues to comply with the governance elements of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard and that it has addressed the internal control weaknesses which were directly related to the downgrade to G2 in January 2020.
However, we have concluded on the basis of the IDA that Red Kite needs to improve other aspects of its governance arrangements to support continued compliance. The regulator does not have assurance that the board has appropriate oversight of some of the key risks facing the business.
Compliance reporting on landlord health and safety obligations and financial covenants is not sufficient to enable the board to exercise effective oversight. In addition, while Red Kite undertakes stress testing, its mitigation strategies are under-developed and require strengthening.
The regulator’s assessment of Red Kite’s compliance with the financial viability elements of the Governance and Financial Viability Standard is unchanged. Based on evidence gained from the IDA, the regulator has assurance that Red Kite’s financial plans are consistent with, and support, its financial strategy. The provider has an adequately funded business plan, sufficient security in place, and is forecast to continue to meet its financial covenants under a wide range of adverse scenarios.
Housing Ombudsman
Red Kite Community Housing Limited (202006090)
The complaint concerns: the landlord’s decision regarding its liability and responsibility for repairs to the downstairs toilet and the conservatory the landlord’s response to the residents’ complaint about the customer service they received.
Red Kite Community Housing Limited (202001036)
The complaint is about the landlord’s response to the resident’s reports about:
Red Kite Community Housing Limited (202012377)
The complaint is about the landlord’s decision to recharge the resident for electrical works carried out in the property.
Red Kite Community Housing Limited (201915237)
The complaint is about the landlord’s response to concerns raised by the resident about: The upgrade works to the heating system. The upgrade work to the electrics. The asbestos removal. The handling of a decant. The lack of a damp-proof course in the property. Complaint handling.