12 Round Table Review
ROUND TABLE Working closely with Beaufl or, we brought together a round table panel including leading social housing providers, sector bodies and representatives to explore how to drive quality fl ooring spec, and share good practice on addressing the fl ooring needs of tenants, alongside those of providers. Chaired by a man with key sector knowledge, Matt Baird (a consultant at
Learning Curve Group, who has worked in social housing recruitment and on housing association boards for many years), the round table tackled this neglected issue head on. Working in a ‘standards vacuum,’ is the industry establishing its own
benchmarks and KPIs for what a decent standard of fl ooring looks like, and what goals are individual providers setting for long-term tenant benefi t? Providers continue to collaborate with their suppliers to try to ensure that a good standard of provision is possible, across property portfolios. We discussed this, and issues from upfront costs to maintenance regimes and retrofi t headaches, towards the shared goal of long-term durable and fi t-for- purpose installations. We heard from delegates from the sector that fl ooring is oſt en not seen as a
priority in projects from new builds to retrofi ts in social housing, and is oſt en sidelined due to upfront costs. T e central foresight to invest in fl ooring to help save the NHS the estimated £1.4bn that cold homes end up costing in health problems, for example, currently seems too far a leap for the government, but it’s part of the fi nancial case for better fl ooring.
THE DEBATE: FLOORING CHALLENGES Before the debate got underway, Chris Roberts, national key account manager, Beaufl or, gave a short introduction, capturing some of the learnings from his 25 years in the fl ooring industry. As a manufacturer, Beaufl or has been pursuing a reputation of integrity
and quality as a manufacturer since launching in 2004 as part of the Beaulieu International Group. It produces vinyl fl ooring products in Belgium, including sheet vinyl designed to meet the needs of social housing; tough, water- and slip-resistant as well as low-maintenance for tenants, but also stylish, quiet and comfortable. T e company is “committed to a responsible approach to doing business
and more sustainable vinyl fl ooring solutions, and aims to give landlords and providers “access to cost-eff ective, durable, attractive and easy-to-maintain fl oors for every room of the home.” Chris told the delegates that while the fi rm “sells a lot of cushioned vinyl into social housing,” and has a strong presence
BEAUFLOR’S INSIGHTS Chris Roberts of event sponsor Beaufl or warned that until there is robust national guidance on fl ooring quality, inferior providers will “take advantage”
in the market, they were “keen to listen and learn” to the providers present, in terms of their experience and angle on specifying fl ooring. Led by chair Matt Baird, the delegates dived into the initial topic, which was
the oſt en underrated importance of good quality fl ooring for tenants, as key for delivering thermal comfort and safety, but also the critical wellbeing factor of benefi cial acoustics between adjacent homes. Chinyere Onyeka-Joseph, Property Services Manager, Peabody, summed up one of the key issues in her introduction however, namely that “everyone has their own perceptions about what good fl ooring is.” T e delegates explored why despite the importance of fl ooring, it was being
sidelined, but also highlighted the cost of only seeing fl ooring as an interior design ‘nice to have,’ and when it is specifi ed, ensuring that specifi cation is adequately good quality. While the Government has produced “best practice guidance” (via the Ministry of Housing) for landlords on retaining “retain good quality fl oor coverings between tenancies,” what were the direct incentives for doing this? Chair of L&Q’s Resident Services Board Fayann Simpson gave some insights
from the provider around how it treated fl ooring between tenancies – “In terms of void properties, where possible if fl ooring is there already and it’s good quality, it will be leſt in there.” She added: ”But that would be at the agreement of the residents themselves, and checking what they want.” Onyeka-Joseph by contrast said that in her experience at Peabody, surveyors had only directed fl oorings to be retained in “less than 20 cases” she had witnessed of voids, based on “complications following the property being relet,” and explained that fl ooring being “giſt ed” meant the housing association had “no responsibility for it.” Onyeka said, when it came to selecting new products, providers are “quite
limited in the options to choose from,” including colour ranges, but generally speaking the key qualities required were “thickness, quality, and durability.” Onyeka also said that it was important to “check on contractors” to ensure they are specifying and installing the right level of quality. Charlene Nevins, Regional Property Services Manager at Peabody, said
AN EXPERT CHAIRS Round table chair Matt Baird advocated for smaller social housing providers during the discussion, who are facing a range of pressures
there was a problem in the sector of being reactive when it came to areas like fl ooring – “you’re just waiting for a problem to happen,” and urged a more proactive approach, and investment in fl ooring. Fayann Simpson accepted that social housing providers “can look at cost at a particular point rather than over the long term, and it’s really important to move to that kind of thinking.” Andy Cameron-Smith endorsed this “prevention is better than cure,” based on potential cost savings as well as wellness and health benefi ts to residents,
Housing Management & Maintenance Autumn 2026
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