Comments for HQN

Comment on Latest member question: valuation tools by Suzy Histon

Suzy Histon — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 16:00:29 +0000

Good afternoon, we have posted your question in the Rent Compliance Hub WhatsApp and had the following responses:

• JLL
• New Builds get individual valuation done. We then get a report from Hometrack showing information on all existing stock which we use when we refresh affordable re-let figures (currently done every 6 months)
• We use Besley Hill and Connells
• rmplusportal.rightmove.co.uk (however the valuations are not RICS)

If you’d like more information about the Rent Compliance Hub WhatsApp please contact members@hqnetwork.co.uk

Comment on Opinion: Give boards a bigger range of voices – and stop worshipping the governance gurus by Alistair McIntosh

Alistair McIntosh — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:21:50 +0000

Thanks Keith – hope you are well

Comment on Opinion: Give boards a bigger range of voices – and stop worshipping the governance gurus by Keith Simpson

Keith Simpson — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:28:08 +0000

Very perceptive and relevant article that needs actioning across many sectors.

Comment on Latest member question: service charge systems by Suzy Histon

Suzy Histon — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:17:03 +0000

Good afternoon Nicola, thanks so much for your question.

We have posted this in the Rent Income Excellence Network WhatsApp group and received one response:

• We use Qube.

I also asked members of the Leasehold Network who advised:

• I’ve used Qube in my previous place it’s basically a full management system. Personally thought it was very good for Leasehold. In my current role we use Northgate but Qube was better for Leasehold I think. Just not sure if we have the full package for Leasehold from Northgate like other bigger councils maybe using such as Camden
• We use Cube, but we day to day use our housing management system, but use cube for apportionments and invoicing.

I hope that helps.

Comment on Latest member question: reopening ASB cases by Suzy Histon

Suzy Histon — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:28:31 +0000

Good afternoon. I also posted your question in the Estate Services Hub WhatsApp group and received two responses:

• Once a case is closed, we do not reopen. We will always open a new case as these can be linked on our systems and ensures better reporting
• Hi – we are very similar to Zoe in that we do not reopen once closed, instead we can link new cases together and include previous reporting / actions. Hope this helps.

If you’d like more information about joining the Estate Services Hub WhatsApp group, please contact members@hqnetwork.co.uk

Comment on Housing ombudsman reveals 323% rise in severe maladministration findings by David Squires

David Squires — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 14:47:40 +0000

Maladministration rate is a poor indicator of a landlords overall complaints performance. It provides little context to the volume or severity of those complaints the Ombudsman has made determinations upon. Peaks & Plains Housing Housing had an 80% maladmin rate which was based upon just one determination (and admittedly we did poorly in that case). The Ombudsman’s key metric for measuring performance is flawed.

Comment on Homelessness charity and social landlord partner to prevent avoidable evictions by Sarah Rogers

Sarah Rogers — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 17:22:18 +0000

This is great news and Curo want to get involved if this is rolled out or sooner!

Comment on Latest member question: adaptations moral dilemma by ian.taylor

ian.taylor — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 13:43:04 +0000

I think I’ ve become quite hardened over the years…it sounds like your customers have decided to bypass your policy by waiting for the outcome of an annual review , which might mandate you to carry out improvements that are in your word i” unsustainable”. I ve had similar discussion at my authority, Options:
– are there sufficient funds via DFG to adapt? if so , adapt
– if there is a suitable property that meets the need of a given household, which they are reluctant to pursue? if yes, offer them a management let. if they refuse that then walk away or explain that you are working with very limited resources and invite reconsideration.
– a variation might be to ( if you have one) use CBL set up the households with automated bids for suitable properties
– what financial contribution are Social Services/NHS willing to make?

York ( my employer) make a heavy use of management lets to get the reluctant into our next to zero supply of 4 beds.

how much negotiation can there be when resources are very slight? this is my private view, there is a mismatch between expectations of social landlords and reality. the public think we have a reasonable supply of housing and that under certain circumstances housing becomes a welfare entitlement, which it can’t be because it is a physical resource in short supply. bottom line is stop negotiating with people, the perfect solution may never arise. and the customer needs to understand this.

there are macro things to do too, like include some 4 bed provision in your s106 agreements and new build programme

if people can ‘hang on ‘ for a year are they really in need? sounds harsh I know, short of a massive expansion of social rent provision as advocated by the CIH , then these issues aren’t going away.

Comment on Latest member question: tenancy failure benchmarking by Janet Ede

Janet Ede — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:55:17 +0000

I am currently analysing our information so happy to share

Comment on Latest member question: measuring the success of a new team by Janet Ede

Janet Ede — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:51:50 +0000

We are doing the same at Progress Housing so any information gathered would also be appreciated

Comment on Latest member question: housing management systems by Elliw Llyr

Elliw Llyr — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:27:00 +0000

Hi, we also use a spreadsheet. We have looked at Housing PRAH module which has been tailored for Wales Housing Act. Would be interested in finding our the results and maybe could be tabled at the next officers network via Simon Rose

Comment on Opinion: His nibs by Liam Hamilton

Liam Hamilton — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:29:33 +0000

Very good article….if it wasn’t so serious the Osborne anecdote about missing lines of data would almost be funny, almost.