The move follows a national review of local authority homelessness data in 2024/25, alongside direct discussions with councils. The Regulator has identified areas where Stirling requires closer scrutiny, particularly around its provision of temporary accommodation and outcomes for homeless households.

“We will continue to engage with all councils in 2025/26 to focus on the provision of appropriate temporary accommodation,” the Regulator stated in its latest engagement plan. “For Stirling, we want further assurance on how it delivers for people experiencing homelessness.”

Stirling also faces engagement over its Gypsy/Traveller site(s). While all landlords must meet the Scottish Government’s Minimum Site Standards and the Scottish Social Housing Charter, satisfaction levels reported by Stirling residents are among the lowest in Scotland.

The Regulator will meet with the council during 2025/26 to discuss site management and review actions being taken to improve resident experience.

Tenant and resident safety is another key issue. A large number of Stirling’s homes do not yet meet updated electrical safety requirements, which became law in 2022 under the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

The council is working to carry out Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) across its stock, but has set a deadline of January 2027 to complete the programme. The Regulator has said it expects progress “as quickly as possible” and has instructed Stirling to provide monthly updates on compliance.

The Regulator said Stirling Council must now provide detailed information on homelessness services, including any breaches of the Unsuitable Accommodation Order, supply updates on Gypsy/Traveller site management and actions to improve satisfaction, complete all electrical safety work by January 2027 at the latest and report progress on electrical compliance every month.

The Regulator has met with Stirling to discuss homelessness services, and will engage further if the council fails to meet statutory duties or satisfaction targets.

It will also continue to monitor electrical safety work and update its published engagement plan if there are any material changes.

Stirling is additionally required to provide its annual regulatory returns, including the Annual Assurance Statement and Annual Return on the Charter, and to notify the Regulator of any major safety issues raised by statutory bodies or insurers.

A Stirling Council spokesperson told Scottish Housing News: “Our Housing Service is engaging with the Scottish Housing Regulator about homelessness and the Gypsy/Travellers site as well as electrical safety.

“We are prioritising securing the required resource to achieve full compliance with electrical installation condition reporting and will regularly update the Regulator on our progress in this area.”