Agenda item

Jane Davies-Haire, Landlord Relations Manager, submitted a progress report against the Scrutiny Review recommendations.  Of the 7, 4 had been completed with the remaining 3 on target.

The aim of the Review was to consider the current process for re-letting void properties and make recommendations for improvements in order to minimise the length of time that houses were empty and provide a more effective service for tenants.

It was noted that officers were currently undertaking 2 separate pieces of work related to void turnaround times.  Firstly the Service Performance and Service Quality Teams had carried out a number of ‘reality checks’ of 2010 Rotherham Ltd.’s performance on void turnaround times in response to concerns expressed by the Scrutiny Panel.  The reality checks had highlighted concerns over performance and a series of meetings would take place to consider action required to rectify this. 

Progress made so far was as follows:-

Recommendation 1 – That improvements are made to the CBL process in line with the recommendations of the current Scrutiny Review

See previous Minute.

Recommendation 2 – That the verification process is made more efficient by screening out ineligible bids at an earlier stage

The Anite IT system had now been updated to include a verification module.

Recommendation 3 – That clear criteria are published about the circumstances in which decorating vouchers will be issued to new tenants and that the allowance of £25 per room is reviewed

2010 were reviewing the allowance.

Recommendation 4 – That in line with good practice demonstrated by high performing ALMOS, consideration is given to a reward scheme to encourage tenants to leave properties in good condition

A pilot ‘fond farewell’ scheme had been implemented which incentivised tenants to leave their home and garden in a good condition by offering a payment of £100.

Recommendation 5 – That information is provided to Elected Members on a regular basis on the void properties in their Ward including reasons why a property is empty and when it is expected to be re-let

The weekly estate management update produced by Neighbourhood Champions now included information about empty properties.  The Empty Homes Team also provides neighbourhood staff with a monthly update for every empty property stating the estimated completion date and/or reasons for delay.

Recommendation 6 – That more detailed information is provided when reporting on voids to give a clearer picture of why properties are empty and the financial implications

Establishment of a joint working group including officers from Neighbourhood Investment Service to jointly review properties that had been empty for over 16 weeks.

Recommendation 7 – That action taken towards the recommendations of 2010 Rotherham Ltd.’s Empty Homes Service Review ‘every day counts’ (April, 2009) be monitored and reported back to the Sustainable Communities Scrutiny Panel in due course

Of the 16 recommendations, 12 were either complete or mostly complete.

Discussion ensued on the report with the following issues highlighted:-

-        Members now received regular information on empty properties

-        There had been a massive improvement in the working relationships between Housing Investment, Key Choices and 2010

-        Non-Traditional properties had other issues to be taken into consideration such as structural and investment requirements

-        The advertisements would now include information on how the bidding process worked

-        2010 were letting more properties than they had previously but the Allocations Policy, with respect to increasing the number of transfers due to under occupancy, had implications

-        Since April to November, 2009, 187 more properties had been let than the same period in 2008

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made against the Scrutiny Review recommendations be noted.

(2)  That the separate pieces of work being undertaken to address reality checks of performance on void turnaround times and a strategy for dealing with long term empty properties be noted.

(3)  That a further report be submitted in April, 2010, confirming completion of the outstanding actions within 2010 Rotherham Ltd.’s Empty Homes Review Action Plan.

(4)  That the future update on the Review include issues around the bidding for properties and ineligible bids.