Social Housing Compliance: Cost Saving Doesn’t Have to Mean Lower Standards

Social housing is under scrutiny as never before. In the wake of Grenfell, fire and electrical safety are naturally at the forefront of everyone’s mind. What we can’t afford is for other key areas of compliance, such as gas, water safety and asbestos, to slip down the order of priorities.

The costs of remedial works identified following Grenfell will in some cases be significant. This could put further pressure on budgets. It increases the risk that minimum standards, rather than best practice will set the agenda – unless landlords and service providers work collaboratively to find better solutions.

Managing Complexity

One way to manage the complexity of large-scale housing maintenance (particularly when data is incomplete or fragmented) is to compartmentalise compliance issues and work streams. For each aspect of compliance, it then becomes easier to plan works, monitor status and track unit costs.

But compartmentalising compliance issues like this isn’t the best way to use scarce resources. It also results in a worse experience for residents who may be subjected to multiple and seemingly uncoordinated works to their home.

A longer-term and more holistic view of asset management offers the opportunity to implement best practice and achieve high standards for compliance while working within tight budget constraints. It also creates opportunities to make efficiencies that can be reinvested in the housing stock.

A more joined up approach eliminates duplication and inefficiency. It makes it possible to plan more integrated work streams with cost efficiency, quality and improved resident experience as priorities.

Partnerships Deliver Results

Achieving the more holistic approach demands different approaches from social housing landlords and from their housing maintenance service providers. Getting a firm grip on data about asset condition and performance is the essential first step to working more efficiently.

From procurement to performance reporting, the relationships that deliver higher compliance standards, enhanced customer experience and cost savings must be built on openness and trust. This will allow service providers the space to innovate and the confidence to invest in technology, data collection and long-term supply chain relationships.

Simon Holmes, Compliance Director – Osborne Property Services