What to expect?
An external company are due to commence stock condition surveys on all our properties. The data gathered is to help us understand more about our housing stock and will provide us with up-to-date condition information. The information collected will include the age and condition of components and identify any HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) hazards in your home. Any Category 1 hazards identified by stock condition survey are escalated for immediate remediation.
Please read our FAQs below.
What is a stock condition survey?
A stock condition survey is an inspection of the inside and outside of your home. These help us to assess the age and condition of each building element, so we can plan possible future improvements. Doing the survey also helps us to make sure all homes are safe and maintained.
Whilst at the property the surveyor will also gather information to create an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), EPCs tell us how energy efficient your home is and helps to give it a rating of efficiency. Like the stock condition survey, this helps us understand and plan improvements in the future. Once a survey is complete, the certificate produced is valid for ten years.
What happens during the survey?
The surveyor will be looking at things like doors, windows, roofs, and kitchens to assess their age and condition and to make sure your home is free from hazards to ensure your safety and well-being. This will take up to an hour depending on the size of your property. The surveyor will need access to all rooms in your property. Don’t worry you won’t need to move any furniture, the surveys will be mainly a visual inspection of features, fixtures, and fittings, with some photographs taken.
Surveyors may walk around the perimeter of your building to conduct their survey; and in buildings with communal areas, may access the communal area to complete their survey.
What do I need to do?
You do not need to do anything, you will initially receive a letter from us to inform you of the survey, the letter will detail the next steps and introduce you to the company that will be conducting the surveys. The surveyors will contact you to advise when they will be in the area and will be visiting your property. When the surveyor attends your property, we would be grateful if you could give them access. If you aren’t in the surveyor will leave a card with their direct contact details on, you will then be able to contact them to arrange an appointment date and time for the surveyor to reattend.
How do I know if a visitor to my house is acting on your behalf?
Please be assured, like our own staff, the surveyors will always carry ID and to keep you safe please make sure you check this before they enter your home. If in any doubt, please call us on 01246 242673 and we will be able to verify their details for you on the phone.
Why are we doing this work?
Surveys can help to provide up-to-date information about the condition of your home. This makes sure your home is maintained and helps us identify any repairs, maintenance, and planned investment required.
What happens after a survey?
The outcomes from surveys are used as part of our annual improvement plans. We review the information collected from your home and if work is needed it will be placed on a future improvement programme. This could be several years in the future, depending on the assessed need.
Will I be getting a new kitchen, new bathroom etc?
The survey doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be getting anything new in your home. The purpose is to look at all council-owned properties and assess the condition of the home. The information gathered during the surveys will be assessed and enable us to develop efficient programmes of work for the future.
When will you let me know about any future improvements to my home?
We’re unable to feedback on individual surveys, but if works are identified we’ll make you aware of any future improvements in your home in advance of a work schedule. This will usually be at least 12-months in advance of works commencing.
I’ve already got something that needs fixing in my home, should I wait for the survey?
No – it is important that you notify us of any repairs straight away. Please use the online repairs tool (opens in a new window) to report these or you can call and speak with an adviser on 01246 242424. Any health and safety risks identified by the surveyors are fed back to us immediately and our repairs team will act on any issue identified.
What if I don't want my home to be surveyed?
It is important that this survey of your property is carried out so we can ensure your home is safe and maintained, we will work with you and if you have commitments that would make the standard appointment times difficult for you to commit to, we could request that the surveyor attends outside of working hours to accommodate this.
As per your tenancy agreement ‘you must allow us and/or our contractors and/or agents access to your property on 72 hours’ written notice for the purposes of carrying out a property inspection; inspecting for repairs, carrying out repairs, servicing equipment and/or for any other reasonable housing management purpose.’ Failure to comply with this could result in legal action being taken.
Please call and speak with us to discuss any concerns on 01246 242673 or if you prefer you can This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(opens in a new window).
