Talk is key for successful Asset Management service delivery

The key initiatives which will enable the continual improvement and successful delivery of Housing 21’s Asset Management services have been built around engagement with residents.

In its latest Executive Summary, the Asset Management Team has outlined four key priority areas which will combine technological advances with traditional methods of communication.

The approach will enable the team to build on existing measures, such as residents engagement meetings, conferences, consultations and roadshows whilst embracing new approaches such as implementing a new Building Safety Manager role.

Tim David, Director of Property Services, said: “Quality resident engagement is vital to delivering a successful Asset Management service, as is working closely with the Operations Team. The Covid-19 pandemic interrupted our traditional face-to-face consultations, encouraging us to explore and adopt alternative techniques, expanding on what we already did and embracing new ways of delivering our services.

“We have improved and developed an expanded suite of video presentations to support our surveying team; participated at virtual engagement groups and adapted existing consultation material to enable full engagement from residents who are unable to attend meetings through printed handouts.”

To date, the team has undertaken post evaluation of component replacements, reviewing items such as standard of workmanship and design as well as publishing five-year scheme investment plans.

Looking ahead, the Asset Management Team has set out four key priorities to enable to ongoing delivery of its successful service:

• Biannual court consultation meetings – a joint meeting with each scheme’s surveyor, building safety manager, Retirement Living/ Extra Manager to provide a face-to-face opportunity to listen to residents
• Asset management roadshow – an event to jointly review and showcase specifications and products, progress against sustainability, digital technology and building safety.
• Pre-works and on-site consultation – providing an opportunity to further develop consultation material and provide regular project updates
• Post works consultation – A meeting will be held with the surveyor, residents and scheme manager to review project delivery, resident satisfaction and to learn lessons.

This work will build on what measures are already in place as well as responding to the challenges brought about through Covid-19, new ways of working and The Charter for Social Housing Residents (white paper).