Our workshops are tracking the voids process from ‘end to end’ through the entire ‘life cycle’ of an empty home. Each stage is considered from all possible angles – the customer experience, costs, efficiencies, sustainability.

Part 2 Technical and repairs issues

This session will explore:

• Post inspection of voids following completion of works (snagging etc)
• Recording of results of post inspection for service improvement and contract management purposes
• Ensuring the void specification is right and the repairs of a high quality – reporting and monitoring repairs raised during the first three, six, twelve months
• Damp, mould and condensation:
  • Monitoring dampness and condensation as part of voids post inspection
  • Recording dampness levels.
• Identifying high risk properties
• Use of monitoring devices in high-risk properties
• Photographic evidence of condition of property at sign up stage
• Post occupation repairs
• Turnaround times, value for money, budgets and finances
• Feedback on and links with the customer experience.

The sessions will be chaired by Kevin Bentley, HQN’s expert on repairs and maintenance and voids management.

10.30 Welcome and introductions

• • Kevin Bentley, Associate, HQN

10.40 Voids and indentification of at-risk properties, dampness and condensation

• • Steve Rose, Regional Manager, Midland Heart

11.10 WCHG Empty Homes Gas Process

• • Tony Cunny, Gas and Heating Manager, Wythenshawe Community Housing

11.30 Break 

11.40 Should we up our game? Delivering voids to the highest standard

• • Paul Barker, Head of Service Delivery, Bromford Housing Association

12.00 Sustainability of high cost voids and when to dispose

• • Kevin Bentley, Associate, HQN

12.15 Questions and final thoughts

12.30 Close

Kevin Bentley, Associate, HQN

Kevin has worked in social housing in both the local government and housing association sectors for over 25 years, specialising in housing maintenance and stock investment issues. Kevin has been a HQN Associate for over 14 years, providing advice and support to many housing organisations.

He has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of operational delivery and strategic asset management in the sector. He regularly carries out reviews of gas servicing and maintenance for organisations. He has in-depth knowledge of service delivery and best practice in the sector delivered by in-house/DLO contractors and out-sourced arrangements

Kevin is also one of HQN’s key accreditation assessors specialising in HQN: DLO and HQN: gas repairs and asset management accreditations. He is also one of HQN’s trainers responsible for contract management and procurement.

Kevin has carried out upwards of 120 service reviews and similar in-depth assessments of repairs and maintenance services for HQN clients, including a large number of gas servicing and maintenance reviews for organisations with both in-house contractors or outsourced and hybrid arrangements.

Paul Barker, Head of Service Delivery, Bromford Housing Association

With 20 years of experience in the housing sector, Paul is a seasoned professional known for having a pragmatic and measured approach to maintenance and its delivery. Currently serving as Head of Service Delivery at Bromford, he has consistently delivered performance improvement results by leveraging his expertise in DLO leadership.

Paul’s journey into housing began in 2004 working for facilities management companies Morrisons and then Mears Group. In 2014, he joined Midland Heart where he helped grow the DLO to cover all of their operating geography and saw the last 5 years of his journey with them from 2018-2023 as Head of Maintenance.

As a forward-thinking professional, Paul stays abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, positioning himeself as a strategic leader in housing and maintenance. Currently focused on reducing empty homes key to key turnaround to 20 days for Bromford, he is excited about the opportunity to bring his skills and experience to the HQN and contribute to improving the efficiencies on empty homes to give all affordable housing customers a better offering.

Steve Rose, Senior Regional Manager, Midland Heart

Steve has worked within Repairs and Maintenance for over twenty-five years at organisations such as Birmingham CC (Surveyor), Cannock DC (Surveyor), HomeZone Housing (Principal Surveyor), Bromford (Operations Manager) and Bournville Village Trust (Head of Service). During his tenure at Bournville Village Trust, he became a ‘beacon’ contractor and an award winning DLO. The groundbreaking work they did with Apprentices was formally recognised nationally and Property Services were awarded the ‘UK Employer of the Year’ award both in 2013 and 2014. Steve joined Midland Heart in 2014 looking for a new challenge and took the position as Operations Manager to help establish Property Care as one of the UK is leading ‘In-House Maintenance’ providers. Following a period of transition and growth, for the past seven years, they have been accredited by the HQN. Since 2017, he has been a Regional Manager overseeing the delivery of the Repairs and Maintenance Service, including Damp and Mould.

Tony Cunny, Gas and Heating Manager, Wythenshawe Community Housing

Tony has over 28 years’ experience working in gas and heating and the last 15 years in various gas management and compliance roles.

In his current role he oversees the Domestic and Commercial gas safety compliance for the groups circa 14,000 properties along with the renewable and solid fuel compliance.

As part of his role Tony oversees the gas process in our Empty Homes ensuring the groups gas safety and empty homes policies are adhered to, from ensuring the properties are capped for safety within the required timescales and that all works are carried out safely and promptly when the property is empty before the properties are re let to new customers.

If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited