Estate Services Hub annual conference 2022 summary

This year’s Estate Services Hub annual conference focused on addressing three key challenges: The rising cost of service delivery and what this means for resident’s staff and business plans The need to implement long-term sustainable, green practices against a backdrop … Read more

Panorama investigation into exempt accommodation

In case members missed it last night, Panorama on BBC One broadcast the findings of an investigation into charity My Space Housing Solutions which provides exempt accommodation to vulnerable people across the north of England. The investigation exposed property sales … Read more

51% of adults ‘using less gas and electricity in their home’ due to cost of living crisis

A new Office for National Statistics survey has found that around 24 million people in Great Britain were reducing energy use in their home between March and June 2022, and around 16 million cut back on food and essentials. Around … Read more

Managing disrepair – top tips (5)

Due to the unprecedented amount of disrepair claims being filed against social landlords, we ran a hugely popular event last month – focusing firstly on how to get your house in order to ensure you remain on the front foot … Read more

Managing disrepair – top tips (4)

Due to the unprecedented amount of disrepair claims being filed against social landlords, we ran a hugely popular event last month – focusing firstly on how to get your house in order to ensure you remain on the front foot … Read more

Managing disrepair – top tips (3)

Due to the unprecedented amount of disrepair claims being filed against social landlords, we ran a hugely popular event last month – focusing firstly on how to get your house in order to ensure you remain on the front foot … Read more

Managing disrepair – top tips (2)

Due to the unprecedented amount of disrepair claims being filed against social landlords, we ran a hugely popular event last month – focusing firstly on how to get your house in order to ensure you remain on the front foot … Read more

Government releases first £6m from Supported Housing Improvement Programme

Government has released the first £6m from its £20m Supported Housing Improvement Programme. Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Hull councils will receive the funding to carry out more frequent and thorough inspections of supported housing. This programme funds councils … Read more

Severe maladministration for housing association’s response to silverfish infestation

Metropolitan Thames Valley’s failings in responding to a silverfish infestation at a resident’s flat has led to a finding of severe maladministration by the Housing Ombudsman. The compensation offered by the landlord did not reflect the ‘significant impact’ on the family by … Read more

County Lines and Cuckooing – what housing providers need to know

County Lines & Cuckooing: What Housing Providers need to know July 2022 Jo Sylvester About the Author: Jo Sylvester is a Community Resolution Officer and the Safeguarding Operational Lead for Ongo Homes. Jo created the Cuckooing Project in April 2019 … Read more

Managing disrepair – top tips (1)

Due to the unprecedented amount of disrepair claims being filed against social landlords, we ran a hugely popular event last week – focusing firstly on how to get your house in order to ensure you remain on the front foot … Read more

Energy Bills Support Scheme details released

The government has set out further details of the Energy Bills Support Scheme. The £400 discount, administered by energy suppliers, will be paid to consumers over six months with payments starting from October 2022, to ensure households receive financial support … Read more

Housing Ombudsman finds severe maladministration for Clarion’s failings on resolving leak

The Housing Ombudsman found severe maladministration for Clarion’s cumulative failings in handling repairs to resolve a leak and the problems that followed with the resident’s shower and electrics. The resident had consistently reported leaks into his shower room from the … Read more

New report highlights best practice in supporting energy customers in financial difficulty

In response to the unprecedented increase in wholesale gas prices, and the knock-on impact this has had on the cost of living, Heat Trust decided to undertake a compliance project to check that  heat suppliers were providing adequate support to … Read more

Westminster Hall Debate on ASB

MPs have gathered this week to debate what more can be done to address anti-social behaviour in communities. Jacob Young, Conservative MP for Redcar, called the Westminster Hall debate, with new Minister for Safeguarding Amanda Solloway saying: “Antisocial behaviour plagues … Read more

Almost 7.5 million people were victims of ASB in the last 3 years according to new research

Almost 7.5 million people were victims of ASB in the last 3 years according to new research  Study also shows that the majority of incidents go unreported, as the UK marks ASB Awareness Week 2022 Despite almost 1 in 2 … Read more

ASB Awareness Week

This week has marked ASB Awareness Week with the government launching two new initiatives aimed at improving community safety. The Home Office has launched new set of Anti-Social Behaviour Principles, aimed at encouraging more people to report ASB, improving partnership … Read more

8.2 million households could be in fuel poverty in October

National Energy Action is predicting that 8.2 million UK households will be in fuel poverty, if bills increase by 60%. That amounts to one in three households. Energy experts Cornwall Insight predicted that when the price cap rises in October, … Read more

Lack of social housing ‘no excuse’ for disrepair and poor conditions

The lack of social housing in the country needs addressing but is “no excuse” for housing people in squalor, says social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa. Speaking at HQN’s annual conference in London, Kwajo said the conditions he’s seen are “inhumane … Read more

Government launches new ASB panel for social housing

Social housing landlords will be “given support to tackle anti-social behaviour through a new advisory group”. Housing Minister Eddie Hughes has announced a new panel of experts to advise on the best approach for dealing with anti-social behaviour from tenants … Read more

Housing Ombudsman finds severe maladministration for council’s delayed repairs

The Housing Ombudsman found severe maladministration for Birmingham City Council’s delays in repairing an extensive water leak that caused damage to the resident’s property. The landlord failed to offer any compensation for the distress and inconvenience caused to the resident, … Read more

Government launches guidelines to protect victims of ASB and make communities safer

The government are to launch new guidelines to encourage more people to take a stand against anti-social behaviour and help make communities safer. The Home Office is using the launch of ASB Awareness Week to publish a new set of … Read more

Estate Services Annual Conference

Just a reminder that the virtual Estate Services Annual Conference 2022 is planned for 18 August. We’ve listened to feedback from members and will be focusing on the following areas: The rising cost of service delivery and what this means … Read more

Regulator of Social Housing sets out consumer regulation lessons from past year

The Regulator of Social Housing has published a review of its consumer regulation work between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. This year the regulator received more than 650 referrals from tenants, registered providers of social housing and other sources. … Read more

Let’s not be distracted by political upheaval – our tenants want us focused on better services

By Tim Cowland, Senior Consultant, Socitm Advisory The housing sector is used to political turmoil. So as the government wrestles with its future direction, we must continue to focus on the changes and challenges that will impact our tenants and … Read more

Housing Ombudsman planning systemic investigation into record keeping

Poor record keeping features among the latest decisions published by the Housing Ombudsman. “Strong record keeping practices are core to good services,” the body says, and will be the focus of a future systemic investigation by the Ombudsman. Also included … Read more

@housing2022 – Jasmine Tansur, Resident liaison officer, PA Housing

@housing2022 – Cym D’Souza, Chief Executive, Arawak Walton Housing Association

@housing2022 – Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman

Latest member question: barbeques

Our policy regarding barbeques in communal areas including gardens has always been a blanket no due to the fire risk, complaints from other residents, etc. However, we are reviewing this decision currently and wondered if any members could share their … Read more