The Association self-referred to the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) when a change of contractor led to 36 of its properties not being serviced on time.

In an updated engagement plan for Bridgewater, SHR said it sought, and has now received, additional assurance that all remaining gas safety checks have now been completed.

In July this year, Bridgewater also shared an internal report with the Regulator which identified a number of weaknesses relating to its tenant safety policies and identified the need to obtain an independent review of its tenant and resident safety compliance.

Noting the actions taken since then, the report states: “Bridgewater has taken immediate steps to address the issues in its approach to gas safety by implementing changes to its policies and procedures. It is also progressing a number of actions to make improvements across its other tenant and resident safety duties.”

The engagement plan adds that Bridgewater is seeking to make improvements in its overall approach to governance and to its self-assurance processes. It also commissioned an independent review of its governance that was reported to the board and shared with SHR in September.

The Regulator said that Bridgewater is engaging “openly and constructively” as it continues to seek assurance regarding its compliance with tenant and resident safety duties, and in respect of its governance arrangements relating to its policies, systems and processes, and self-assurance.

Bridgewater chief executive Andy Thomson told Scottish Housing News: “Following the identification of issues with our gas servicing programme that were caused by a technical issue when data was transferred to our new contractor, we identified 36 properties where the service was not complete on time. We therefore self-referred to the Scottish Housing Regulator acknowledging the issues and identifying weaknesses in our gas servicing and other tenant safety policies and procedures.

“We are committed to ensuring that tenant and resident safety is the top priority for the Association, and this was why we brought these issues to the SHR’s attention and put an improvement plan in place to ensure that this issue is not repeated.

“Although all gas service visits are now complete, we acknowledge the issues raised by the Regulator and are making significant efforts to ensure we remain fully compliant.

“Bridgewater acknowledges the input from the Scottish Housing Regulator and for recognising that we are working openly and constructively with them through our committed board and hard-working and professional staff.”