Merton's biggest social housing provider has been placed on a regulatory 'watch list' due to problems with its repairs and maintenance service.

Circle Housing, which manages more than 9,000 homes in the borough through Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP), could be downgraded by the government's Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Wimbledon Times:

Unhappy customers: The Wimbledon Guardian received more than 100 repairs and maintenance complaints from tenants last year 

The review means the housing association is under HCA investigation and could have broken the regulator's standards, housing publication Insider Housing reported.

A spokeswoman for Circle Housing said the investigation was not linked to a Merton whistleblower's fraud allegations over a £220m repairs and maintenance contract between Circle Housing Merton Priory (CHMP) and contractors Keepmoat.

An independent audit into the contract was commissioned by CHMP after the Wimbledon Guardian and Merton councillors received hundreds of complaints about repairs and maintenance last year.

Senior executives were shown the results of the audit in November but they have not yet been published, despite pressure from Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond.

A CHMP spokesman said the audit findings required further investigation and it will publish the results as soon as it has the "full picture". 

More on this story: 

Firm investigates whistleblower's over-charging claims

- Boss of Circle Housing Merton claims 'shocking' repairs in Merton are 'teething problems'

MP Stephen Hammond accuses housing association of delaying publication of fraud investigation

The Circle spokeswoman said: "Circle Housing Merton Priory is aware that it still has to make significant improvements to provide a seamless repairs and maintenance service and last year introduced a robust plan of action to ensure this is achieved.

"We are making progress but it will take time. Circle Housing of which Circle Housing Merton Priory is one part, takes its obligations around repairs and maintenance extremely seriously.

"Repairs and maintenance will continue to be the highest priority for our Executive Team and Group Board as we work to improve service levels for our customers."

The HCA declined to comment on the investigation.

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