Local Authority Housing Inspection

The Audit Commission is an independent body responsible for ensuring that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively and delivers high-quality local services for the public.

Within the Audit Commission, the Housing Inspectorate inspects and monitors the performance of a number of bodies and services. These include local authority housing departments, local authorities administering Supporting People programmes, arms length management organisations and housing associations.
Our key lines of enquiry (KLOEs) set out the main issues which we consider when forming our judgements on the quality of services. The KLOEs can be found on the Audit Commission's website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/housing Opens in a new window.

This inspection has been carried out by the Housing Inspectorate using powers under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999 and is in line with the Audit Commission's strategic regulation principles. In broad terms, these principles look to minimise the burden of regulation while maximising its impact. To meet these principles this inspection:

• is proportionate to risk and the performance of the Council;
• judges the quality of the service for service users and the value for money of the service;
• promotes further improvements in the service; and
• has cost no more than is necessary to safeguard the public interest.

The government has announced plans to put in place new arrangements for auditing England's local public bodies. The Audit Commission is working with the Department of Communities and Local Government and its appointed consultants on the best approach to transfer the audit work to the private sector.

• Download the full Re Inspection Of Strategic Housing Report from the Audit CommissionFile Type: Adobe PDF document, File Size:206.02 Kb (30 seconds @ 56K) Opens in a new window