16 Round Table Review
DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS The panel came from all facets of the social housing spectrum, including housing associations, manufacturers, academics, associations and advocacy groups
“Contractors, landlords, customers, all need to work together as a partnership to solve this problem – it is our problem” Hony Premlal, Women in Social Housing
T e event was sponsored by three manufacturers from diff erent strands of the supply chain, whose representatives also contributed valuable insights to the discussion. We are grateful to Tarmac, WMS Underfl oor Heating and Cornerstone Management Services for their support, and to Luke Brooks, Ashley Welch, and David Bly for their respective contributions on behalf of their fi rms. T e discussion was expertly steered by our guest chair, Matt Baird, who also
gave his perspectives from the sector as co-chair at Spring Housing Association. T e panel looked at the strategies being employed by social landlords to not only comply with the Act but go beyond it, and rebuild trust dented by events like Grenfell and Rochdale. It also focused on the need for engagement between social landlords and tenants, and how better use of tech and data can eff ectively monitor living conditions, while causing less disruption. Following industry research on Healthy Homes by Housing Management
& Maintenance in 2024 and 2022, this discussion produced further essential learnings for social landlords, the supply chain, and anyone else interested in this crucial topic and pursuing best practice in future.
THE DISCUSSION Discussing how the Act has changed the picture for landlords and tenants, the group put emphasis on the need for a collaborative approach to address damp and mould issues, with resident engagement a key priority. Delegates didn’t shy away from the challenges of meeting new regulations such as skill shortages in the sector, and the need for a holistic approach to understand cultural factors and health inequalities as well as building issues. Technology-based solutions such as using ‘Internet of T ings’ connectivity
and even ‘digital twins’ (3D digital models of existing homes) were highlighted as potential tools, but delegates pinpointed blockers including a lack of knowledge, and high associated costs. T e discussion also touched on the need for better data management, and delved into solutions for how technology could best be deployed. With several key representatives from the social housing world, the round
table homed in on the real-world challenges and strategies. A key need expressed was for real-time updates on individual homes and residents to alert management to maintenance needs, the use of sensors and potentially AI and digital recognition for diagnosing problems, and an overall shiſt from mere compliance to holistic risk management. T e lack of skilled professionals in HHSRAs was highlighted, as well as the key importance of learning from
failures, not just successes. Delegates also shared positive examples, and how resident satisfaction could be combined with cost savings, and highlighted a need for better knowledge sharing and collaboration among providers.
THE PROBLEM Delegates generally accepted that the new regulations were a necessary and welcome thing, However, as David Bly from event sponsor Cornerstone Management Services told the panel, such measures were not the silver bullet for Healthy Homes. He said: “T ere are already a number of regulations in place, so why am I going out and seeing the same thing time and time again (in properties)?” Bly added that he believed there was a problem around lack of knowledge
in the sector on how to tackle damp and mould, and suggested that the fi rst outcome of the new legislation would be that these shortcomings would simply be highlighted sooner, due to mistakes now being uncovered. He said there was a “disconnect” between the regulations and the behaviours of people “living or working in these buildings,” so that “even with Awaab’s Law coming in, does it mean that we are going to make the same mistakes, but quicker?”
ISSUES OF TRUST T e round table agreed that tenant trust was a major issue – exacerbated by Grenfell and Rochdale, potentially reinforcing perceptions that landlords did not have their best interests at heart. Delegates raised long-standing issues around not only landlords entering properties, but also fears of being at risk of eviction if they were blamed for issues of damp and mould. T e panel said it would take time to rebuild that trust, in the new Social Housing Act context. Chair Matt Baird said several delegates had fl agged to him that they were
“still relying on tenants telling you when something’s up,” but their mindset can be “don’t complain to the landlord – they’ll kick you out.” Baird said the sector relied on tenants feeling “they can tell us when something is wrong without there being repercussions on them.” While he accepted more ownership and accountability from landlords is required, tenants have to also take personal responsibility; “but that comes with education and acknowledgement, not you must do this, but giving the reasons why.” Hony Premlal of Women in Social Housing (and ex-chair of Eldon Housing
Association) said that in a climate of “lost trust,” the new Regulator introduced by the Act “had to bring meaningful change,” and praised the new legislation for bringing “accountability, transparency, and tenant involvement.” She however warned that it should “not be a tick box exercise to get compliance.” T e group agreed the Act was needed, Baird saying: “Something had to
happen,” but added that with “huge demand on housing providers,” the “actual feasibility of putting it together is a whole another question.” He queried if failures are seen, whether it may be used as “another stick to beat housing providers with.” Stephanie Goad from Golding Homes said that the Act was fundamental to a generally improving picture on Healthy Homes; from customers being “simply
Housing Management & Maintenance April/May 2025
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
