Compliance And Operational Efficiency – Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Accurate stock condition data drives many elements of social housing property services delivery. It’s importance was highlighted in the 2021 Sector Risk Profile published by the Regulator for Social Housing:

‘Providers need to invest in existing stock to ensure the continued provision of good quality homes. Boards must have robust data on stock quality ahead of changes to the Decent Homes Standard, and to support decarbonisation.’ 

Demonstrating compliance with new and strengthened regulations isn’t possible without accurate real-time stock condition data. And there are further benefits when it comes to operational and cost efficiency.

It’s well established that switching the emphasis from reactive repairs to planned asset maintenance pays huge dividends. The benefits aren’t just about greater efficiency. Social housing providers also have far greater clarity over commitments, planned costs and potential risks.

Labour shortages both in direct delivery teams and within supply chains were among the other major risk factors noted by the regulator – this issue won’t be going away any time soon. With a proactive approach underpinned by accurate stock condition data, providers can integrate and rationalise work streams to make the best possible use of scarce resources.

Better Data and Cost Savings

Social housing providers with reliable and up-to-date stock condition data are much better placed to maintain compliance and improve efficiency. Osborne has shown across multiple social housing property services partnerships that better data produces real and measurable cost savings.

In other words, once you make the connection to proactive planned maintenance, the task of maintaining the data you need for compliance can become self-financing.

A lot depends on just how complicated it is to pull together all of the stock condition data you need. In many local authorities and large housing associations there are multiple organisations delivering different aspects of the service. If each has their own way of collecting data, the task of collating it into a useful format can be the stumbling block.

Thankfully, there’s a solution. Osborne has developed a tool that can extract key compliance data in just about any format and present exactly what you need in a clear data dashboard. This greatly simplifies the tasks of ensuring compliance and improving overall operating efficiency.

To find out more take a look at our resource centre, browse our case studies or contact Alex McLean ([email protected]).