Agenda item

This report seeks to update members on the progress of the Council’s void properties, the changes in the process in the past year and current performance measures.

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning presented the report which updated members on the progress of the Council’s void properties, the changes in the process in the past year and current performance measures. 

On average there were 370 void properties each year which meant that no rental income was being received for these properties whilst void.  Where possible properties were let to the right applicant as soon as possible to minimise the loss of rental income.  Getting voids back into the rental system was a huge challenge with current void turn arounds taking in excess of 100 days. The KPI was sub 60 days with industry best practice being 40 days or less. Challenges included a national labour shortage in certain trades plus supply chain issues.

Following a restructure of the Housing Directorate, focus was placed on the requirements of the void team. Voids were split between minor and major works and unfortunately a higher proportion of the properties coming back as voids were in need of major works.

Historically there had been around 20/25% of voids requiring major works, recently the figure was upwards of 55/60% of properties that required major works.

The Acting Director of Housing drew Members attention to the void period when one tenancy ended and another began and the procedures required and the number of resources needed. The Housing Teams management of voids was proactive and he referred Members to Appendix 4 of the report which gave a snapshot of voids during 2022/23 and the mapping of properties.

Concern was expressed by Members about the number of voids requiring major work and it was stated that this in some part was due to a lack of historical capital investment, the neglect of properties by tenants and problems with supply chains for the supply of goods such as kitchens.  More proactive work was being done with pre-termination inspections and in the planning of the works with data led decisions being made to try and reduce the numbers.

A comment was made about recharging tenants who had not looked after a property. Previously it was stated that recharging had not been enforced with regularity as tenants had left properties and the landlord had limited means of contacting them.  Changes that were being put in place gave the tenant more empowerment and ownership of a property with work being completed to a higher standard.

Further concern was expressed about the extensive turnaround of properties and a proposal was put forward:

That the Committee recommended that the Cabinet discuss the issue of voids with senior officers to try and suggest a way forward to address the problem and reduce the turnaround of properties to 60 days. 

The proposal was seconded.

Further discussion followed with the Acting Director of Housing stating that revised procedures had been implemented and a new structure and robust processes had been put in place so that voids currently had the highest priority.    One Member referred to how the work was undertaken on the void properties, were people employed by the Council or sub-contracted and could South Kesteven’s apprenticeship scheme be used to help “grow” capacity.

The Chairman proposed that a workshop be arranged with the Housing Committee Members to discuss voids and to try and seek a way forward.

A question was asked about those people who were currently at the Urban Hotel in Grantham to which the Head of Housing responded that this was in relation to the migration crisis and there was full wrap around support in place.

Further comments were made about the “trashing” of properties and examples given and how these people should not be allowed further properties. More comments followed in respect of the turnaround times and what was required when a tenant left a property.  It was acknowledged that the void turnaround times were a challenge.

The proposal put forward that the Committee recommended that the Cabinet discuss the issue of voids with Senior Officers to try and suggest a way forward to address the problem and reduce the turnaround of properties to 60 days was voted on and was LOST.

The recommendations contained within the report were then proposed with the addition that a workshop be arranged to discuss voids with Members of the Housing OSC and any other Member with an interest.

Recommendation:

1.             That the Committee notes the performance for 2022/23 regarding void properties.

2.             That the Committee recommends future reporting on voids to be quarterly, advising on the progress and the performance measures being met.

3.             That a workshop be arranged to discuss voids with the Housing OSC and any other Members who were interested in the topic be invited to attend.

(Workshop to be arranged before the next meeting of the OSC)