Repair and inspection checks for social landlords
The housing stock in current circulation frequently presents maintenance problems for social landlords. Poorly built homes from the 1950s and 1960s are still widely occupied but they need almost constant monitoring and repair.
To illustrate, the English Housing Survey (EHS) showed that the proportion of homes considered ‘non-decent’ in the social housing sector is 12.3%, compared with 16.3% of owner-occupied homes and 23.3% of private rented homes.
The latest EHS report also showed that social housing tenants reported being less satisfied with the way their landlord carries out repairs and maintenance, compared to their counterparts in the private rented sector
With attitudes to social housing being measured and published, it has never been more important to monitor the quality of repairs taking place within a social landlord’s property portfolio. As well as identifying the trades that deliver a proficient service, post-repair inspections also help social landlords achieve their own in-house KPIs.
To sit in line with social landlord’s performance management and KPI assessments, Viewber has developed a highly-specialised repair and inspection service, including livestreamed with a Viewber in the property being directed by a remote user if necessary. This new offering is designed specifically with time-pressed but service-driven social landlords in mind.
We understand that KPIs examine the quality of repairs from a practical perspective and also from a tenant satisfaction level, with the results feeding back to an overall business plan and potentially affecting any performance review of your department.
Viewber’s repair and inspection service is designed to ensure that standards are upheld, and easy to undertake, at every point during the tenancy. Our inspections provide social landlords with peace of mind and give tenants no cause for complaint, and check contractors are working to expected standards.
A Viewber visiting a property can:
– Ensure gas safety records and gas safety checks are completed on the anniversary of every tenancy and at every check in
– Identify properties with damp and mould
– Ensure reactive and planned repairs are completed correctly on the first visit
– Identify areas where energy efficiency could be improved, so Energy Efficiency Standards for Social Housing are met
– Ensure a property is in a fit state for human habitation before a new tenancy starts
– Check for potential health and safety issues, including inspections for evidence of vermin
– Assess the overall condition of a property, noting signs of disrepair or malicious damage
– Identify private nuisance issues attached to surroundings properties and communal areas
Livestreamed inspections
Our Viewber service also includes the ability for our representative to hold a livestreamed WhatsApp viewing from the property, so repairs can be inspected remotely by office based staff. Staff can direct the Viewber to any repairs they would like to see in more detail, with the two-way conversation resulting in the next best outcome to actually visiting the property in person, without the time inconvenience of travelling there.
Bespoke reports
Viewber knows that no two properties or repair situations are the same and that’s why we offer bespoke reports to social landlords. Our Viewbers will take instruction at the booking stage, will tailor their inspection accordingly and will deliver a report that addresses specific issues and areas.
Repairs that a Viewber can inspect
Our post-repair inspection service includes but is not limited to:
– Repairs to the structure and exterior of a property, for example the walls, windows and external doors
– Repairs to basins, sinks, baths, toilets and visible pipework
– Cosmetic repairs and redecoration
– Repairs to general fixtures, fittings and kitchen cabinetry
– Basic tests to ensure there is running water, free-running drains and an electricity supply
“We know social landlords are under extreme pressure to deliver an exemplary repairs and maintenance service in line with The Defective Premises Act 1972.” says Viewber’s founder, Ed Mead.
“Constant monitoring via KPIs holds departments fully accountable, so working with Viewber helps social landlords deliver the level of service demanded in today’s social sector. Our Viewbers can examine a repair that, if missed or poorly executed, could be considered negligent. We’re happy to become part of any social landlord’s duty of care framework, helping reduce incidents and increasing performance levels.”
Get in touch if you’d like to know about our repair and inspection service for social landlords.
