A new standard for social housing stock conditions surveys is being devised that is intended to provide a “consistent and accurate” assessment of conditions in the sector.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the National Housing Federation (NHF) are working towards developing the new standard.
The two organisations say that the move is a “timely development”, given the prominence the new UK government has placed on housing.
It aims to support housing associations and local authorities to better identify quality issues that need addressing within their homes, by creating a standardised and consistent approach to understanding the condition of homes.
This will provide landlords with the information that they need to help ensure that all social housing residents are living in good quality homes.
The vast majority of housing associations undertake their own stock condition surveys on a regular basis, however NHF members have shared that having a universal approach to collecting this information would provide greater confidence for both residents and landlords.
The standard will incorporate current regulatory requirements and be adapted, where necessary, to align with any future changes, for example, to the new Decent Homes Standard.
Justin Young, chief executive of RICS, said: “The UK needs a data-driven, fact-focused social housing sector, and a comprehensive stock condition survey, designed with RICS members’ expertise, will clear up uncertainty about the quality of the UK’s social housing stock.
“This new partnership with the NHF is timely, given the government’s plans to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. Ending the housing crisis not only begins with building new homes; it must also include the renovation and retrofit of existing homes, improving the quality, quantity, and sustainability of social housing.
“Initial responses from housing associations have been positive, and there appears to be a real political will to put housing at the forefront.”
The standard’s design – developed and created in partnership with housing associations and other stakeholders including the National Federation of ALMOs and the Association of Retained Council Housing and their members – is hoped to be completed and launched in 2025, with the views of residents sought during the development process to ensure housing associations can learn from the experiences of their residents.
Kate Henderson, the NHF’s chief executive, said: “Everyone deserves a good quality, safe, warm, and affordable home. We’re committed to supporting our housing association members to implement the recommendations of the Better Social Housing Review and ensure every tenant receives the same high service from their landlord.
“This survey will be an invaluable resource, helping the sector to assess the quality of their homes in a consistent way, and giving both landlords and residents greater confidence. It builds on the work housing associations are already doing to improve their homes and services, including reviewing their repairs processes and increasing investment in their existing homes by 20% for each of the last two years.”
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