Purpose

To seek Executive approval of the
draft Fareham Housing Repairs and Maintenance policy for adoption.

 

The Housing Act 1985 (as amended)
places a number of obligations on landlords regarding the maintenance of their
properties.  All social housing tenants
also have the ‘right to repair’ and for these to be conducted within a specific
timeframe.

 

Legislative changes and the new
consumer standards introduced by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) have
imposed further requirements around repairs. Maintenance and planned improvements.

 

The Repairs and Maintenance
policy is primarily a consolidating document, bringing together the various
process and policies and updating them in line with these new requirements, and
provides comprehensive information regarding the Repairs’ Service
responsibilities, processes, background and relevant legislation.

 

At its meeting on 11 July 2024,
the Housing Scrutiny Panel approved the document to go to the Executive.  Following Executive agreement on 3 September
2024, the draft Repairs and Maintenance policy was circulated for public
consultation from 16 September to 28 October 2024.

 

The report summarises the outcome
of the consultation and details the changes made in response.

 

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive:

 

(a)  notes
the outcome of the consultation and the changes to the Policy and accompanying
documents;

 

(b)  agrees
that the Fareham Housing Repairs and Maintenance policy be adopted; and

 

(c)  agrees
to delegate powers to make minor amendments needed, such as in response to
future updates to Government guidance or minor corrections, to the Director of
Housing, following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing.