A guide to Viewber’s (Green) Social Housing visits
There is no doubt that housing associations and social landlords have a complex, demanding job on their hands – especially when you consider the Office for National Statistics’ last count (April 2018) found there were in the region of 5 million homes in the social housing sector across the UK. That number is growing. In fact, the National Housing Federation reported almost 47,000 new housing association properties were developed in 2019/2020, with another 53,528 under construction.
Unlike the private rental market, those working in social housing have added layers of responsibility, whether that’s the emotional wellbeing of tenants, the impact of tenancies on the wider community or the philanthropic running of a not-for-profit organisation. We understand that leaves precious time for property visits, which is why we’ve developed a set of services specifically for housing associations and social landlords.
Here’s how we are already helping to support the social housing sector – can we provide any of these services to you?
Visiting properties: our local Viewbers can visit any UK property for a variety of reasons. We can perform condition reports to check for signs of damage or misuse, inspect the quality of repairs, perform check ins and check outs, spot signs of subletting or unauthorised occupancy and report on vacant properties. Our Viewbers can also create a digital asset pack to use when advertising a property, including photographs, floorplans and 360° tours.
Visiting people: our service applies to people as much as it does property. A Viewber can be sent to identify vulnerable residents, respond to concerns, and report on safety and wellbeing needs. We can also run open house events, show prospective tenants around on a one-to-one basis, meet contractors at any given property or even accompany your own staff when paired visits are required.
Visiting developments: social housing, when in blocks or forming part of a larger development, presents unique challenges. Our Viewbers can be tasked with drive-by visits and can pass through a neighbour to independently witness anti-social behaviour. We can also inspect blocks and report on matters of compliance, such as fire, gas and electrical safety, as well as note the condition of communal areas and grounds.
Benefits of using Viewber:
√ Out-of-hours coverage: book a Viewber for when your office is closed – we operate during the evening, at weekends and across Bank Holidays, which may suit your tenants more.
√ Vetted & trained: many of our Viewbers have a property background plus they’re all trained to undertake inspections and professionally accompany visits.
√ Working in every postcode: our UK-wide network is operational in every postcode, making it easier for you to manage remote stock and out-of-catchment cases.
√ Bespoke reports delivered to your inbox: choose a format that’s best for you – written, photographic, video or live a WhatsApp call from the property – or a combination of these.
√ Green – Cut travel times & costs: when you book a Viewber, you keep your most valuable asset – staff – at their desks, reduce fuel usage and stand a high chance that the Viewber will be local and able to arrive on foot, for a smaller carbon footprint.
Get in touch
Helping housing associations and social landlords is one of the things we love best at Viewber. Our existing clients tell us we have become a vital way of managing resources, keeping your team – as well as your tenants and properties – looked after. Contact us to try our services.
