Industry News


News Editor: Patrick Mooney patrick@netmagmedia.eu


Publisher: Anthony Parker


Features Editor: Jack Wooler


Studio Manager: Mikey Pooley


Production Assistants: Georgia Musson Kim Musson


Account Managers: Sheehan Edmonds Paul Field


Sales Executives: Nathan Hunt Steve Smith


PR Executives: Suzanne Easter Kim Friend


Audience Development Manager: Jane Spice


Managing Director: Simon Reed


Editor’s comment


Huge housing agenda to deliver, once the pandemic is over


Patrick Mooney, News Editor


It’s very difficult right now to think of anything other than the Coronavirus crisis which has been sweeping the world in recent months and shutting down whole countries, economies and communities. At the time of writing we cannot be sure what sort of world and society will emerge from the current crisis. However, we can be sure that thousands, if not millions of people, will still be living in unsuitable homes; that thousands of others will be without a home and that countless others will have an issue with their tenancy – whether it is a rent query, a complaint about an unsatisfactory service, or a repair to a boiler or a kitchen cupboard that needs sorting. Life goes on and as far as we can, we need to get back in the saddle as quickly as we can once it’s safe to do so while recognising that for many, this will be impossible for various reasons. The fact that housing officers at social and private landlords were not automatically included in the list of key workers at the outset of the virus in Britain, was a huge surprise to myself and to many, many others. Housing staff provide vital services to millions of tenants every day and every week of the year. For many tenants they are often the only human contact they receive on some days.


Cointronic House, Station Road, Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8DF


Advertising & administration: Tel: 01435 863500 info@netmagmedia.co.uk www.housingmmonline.co.uk


Editorial features: Tel: 01435 863500 rfield@netmagmedia.co.uk


Press Releases: editorial@netmagmedia.co.uk


HOUSING ISSUES BEFORE THE LOCKDOWN Before the virus crisis broke in mid March, the Grenfell Tower inquiry had just resumed. After several weeks of hearing evidence it seemed we were no further forward in learning the truth about how and why the tragedy unfolded in the way it did. Everyone was blaming everyone else for the tragedy. No one was willing to take responsibility for their part in the fire. But it’s clear a lot of bad decisions were made and cutting costs keeps rearing its ugly head. It seems incredible that the inquiry could run for another two or three years (after the lockdown is lifted) and only conclude when we have witnessed the fifth anniversary of the fire. Hopefully by the time that inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick has presented his findings and made his recommendations, the construction sector will look, act and behave in a very different manner to how it did pre-Grenfell. Over a billion pounds has been committed to making thousands of tall buildings safe to live in. But surely we should never have got into this situation if tenants were treated like true customers and listened to when they pointed out problems in the refurbishment project. Going forward much is riding on the implementation of the Hackitt Review. But we also need to ensure that residents who have valid complaints are listened to and where appropriate, their concerns are acted upon and problems are resolved. We also need to encourage and listen to whistleblowers from within companies and landlord organisations. Until we have an environment in which legitimate anxieties can be raised without the fear of reprisals, then we do not stand a chance of righting the many wrongs that exist.


The manufacturer of the paper used within our publication is a Chain-of-Custody certified supplier operating within environmental systems certified to both ISO 14001 and EMAS in order to ensure sustainable production.


Subscription costs just £18 for 6 issues, including post and packing. Phone 01435 863500 for details. Individual copies of the publication are available at £3.25 each including p&p.


All rights reserved


No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording or stored in any information retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Housing Management & Maintenance, the publisher can accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by contributors, manufacturers or advertisers. Editorial contributors to this journal may have made a payment towards the reproduction costs of material used to illustrate their products.


Printed in England


A NEW FORM OF SERVICE DELIVERY The new Housing Ombudsman has set out his stall to deliver an improved and more responsive service, aimed at quicker investigation and resolution. He also wants to identify learning points and trends, so that lessons can be learned. Let’s wish him the best of luck and every success in delivering the planned changes. The regulator is also raising its fees in order to provide a stronger, more proactive service. In many respects it could do worse than to re-introduce housing inspections to champion the cause of tenants and to keep landlords on their toes. Times have changed but the co-regulatory model has possibly had its day and does not appear to have delivered the promised benefits, in terms of better outcomes at a lower cost. The most important thing is to ensure a cultural change takes place. Service excellence and correcting mistakes needs to take priority over lowering costs, cutting corners and increasing profits. The service quality aspect of value for money needs to be brought back and put centre stage. Councils across the country are trying to re-enter the housebuilding industry, to ensure that sufficient low rent homes are developed for families on low incomes. Too much taxpayer money and Whitehall effort is still being focussed on house ownership initiatives, ignoring the fact that 40 per cent of the population either cannot afford or do not want to commit themselves to home ownership. Rough sleeping remains a massive problem but it is to the Government’s credit that it has committed a rising budget of over £300 million to resolving this problem, while also setting its sights on eliminating rough sleeping altogether. For the moment much of our normal daily lives are on hold, until the pandemic is over. But when it’s over, we have a very full housing agenda to work on and deliver. Let’s ensure we get it right this time.


HOUSING MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE


APR/MAY 2020 Patrick Mooney


Budget boost for housing


Property safety standards extended


£1billion extra for cladding removal


New satisfaction survey introduced


Big drop in rough sleeping


Martin McCrimmon of CMS Window Systems explains why window and door specifications need to take a holistic view on sustainability for wider social and environmental benefits.


See page 31. 4 | HMM April/May 2020 | www.housingmmonline.co.uk On the cover...


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44