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Should You Bring R&M In-House, or Just Find a Better Partner?

While 75% of social housing repair and maintenance is still outsourced, there is a continuing debate about whether this is the best option. Some local authorities and social housing providers are wondering whether a DLO would deliver better value for money, higher quality or other outcomes such as social value.

In deciding to bring its R&M work back in-house Brighton Council justified the move by claiming it would deliver better service, better value and better community support.

It’s hard to argue against the fact that a DLO gives social landlords more direct control over culture, priorities and deliverables. But with that comes the management and logistical overheads of managing teams, supply chains, customer support, workflow and quality. There’s a trade-off between having a feeling of greater control and the convenience of an outsourced service.

Where’s the Evidence?

Decisions over how to spend public funds should always be evidence-based. Is there an overwhelming body of evidence to show that DLOs consistently outperform external R&M partners? If there were, it’s hard to believe that 75% of services would still be outsourced.

The truth is more nuanced. It’s probable that some DLOs outperform others and different R&M partners also achieve different standards. It isn’t necessarily about the ownership or contracting model.

A substantial R&M partner also has the resources to invest in technology and process improvements that would be too costly for an individual social housing provider.

We have the data from our R&M partnerships that show that outsourcing can mean better value for money and better customer service. In fact, we’d be happy to compare our performance data with anyone else’s, whether that’s a DLO or outsourced partner.

Outsourcing offers the simplicity and accountability of a managed service. By choosing a trusted partner you can also achieve better value for money, better service to residents, and community investment in terms of training, local employment and support for local SME businesses. The key is to find an R&M partner that places as much value on these things as you do.

Find out more about Osborne Property Services here.

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