Roofing & Cladding Feature
Maintenance & Refurbishment
What will tenants seek post-Covid?
Stuart Nicholson of Marley explores new research on the way Covid experiences have altered the views of social housing residents when it comes to their homes and the surrounding area
sustainable living standards and the promotion of greener living spaces, are priorities to tackle the delivery of acceptable and sustainable housing and wider communities. This ongoing challenge facing social housing providers is set against the
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backdrop of increased regulatory demands enshrined in both the Future Homes Standard and the recent publication of the Social Housing White Paper. The latter provides a charter for social housing tenants that sets out seven key commitments they can expect from their landlords. In addition, it places the onus on the providers of social housing properties to ensure they meet the expectations as laid down by governing bodies. The obligations include a social housing tenants’ right to be safe in their home, as well as laying out the landlord’s responsibility to ensure the home is kept in good repair.
A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER The social housing tenant experience of the past 12 months has seen many refocus on their homes and communities. Restrictions and health concerns have forced large numbers to spend long periods of time in their houses, with many reappraising attitudes and forming fresh views when it comes to what they think about their home, their surroundings and what is important to them.
he Government has clearly pinpointed the nation’s housing stock as a key enabler in helping to meet its 2035 UK emissions reduction target. Better energy performance from homes, alongside more
Recent research from Marley looked to unearth the main priorities for
tenants around issues such as home improvements, building fabric quality, local community engagement, and views on government and sustainability. Such knowledge can act as a helpful guide for social housing providers to ensure they are delivering in the key areas that matter to their tenants going forward.
THE HOME For most social housing tenants, the quality of their property is key. More than half (55%) of those questioned wanted priority given to better standards with, for example, no expectation of having to live with or endure damp conditions. Nearly half (48%) of tenants say they are seeking high quality buildings in which to live with an emphasis on the building fabric and the roof. Against the pandemic background of the past year, more than a third of
social housing tenants have undertaken some form of home improvement, with 54% admitting they were seeking ‘general’ improvement to their living spaces. This has included decisions to upgrade garden spaces, as well as enhance busy kitchen and bathroom areas with some form of redecoration. In a clear and long-term warning to social housing providers, nearly a fifth
say their attitude to wanting to improve their homes and living spaces has ‘strengthened’ over the past 12 months, while nearly one in five tenants say the Covid experience has made them want to move out of their current dwelling. This points to a growing degree of volatility and perhaps dissatisfaction that providers should be aware of.
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM August/September 2021 | 57
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