Organisations involved in the delivery of social housing maintenance have a big responsibility to provide a service that meets the needs of the tenants they serve. After all, the condition of homes is not always about just bricks and mortar, it’s about contributing to the wellbeing of tenants and creating a sense of belonging.
The maintenance and repairs work carried out by housing associations, contractors and local authorities plays an important role in creating thriving communities. Satisfied tenants should sit at the heart of any maintenance repairs strategy, ensuring the end-to-end process strives to improve the lives of social housing residents.
In this article, we look at the significant impact social housing maintenance has on resident wellbeing and how housing repairs software can help. At ROCC, we care for our local communities, and as a supplier of software solutions to organisations involved in social housing, we want to shine a spotlight on how a good maintenance service can be life-changing.
How can social housing maintenance benefit tenants?
Efficient and high-quality social housing maintenance has the potential to make a huge difference in someone’s life. Here are some of the benefits tenants can enjoy when organisations get their repairs service right.
1. Creates a comfortable, safe living environment
Social housing associations, contractors and local authorities have an obligation to ensure that residents live in a safe environment. Whether it’s electrical repairs, structural issues or plumbing problems, it’s important to not only maintain the physical integrity of a home but also not put residents at risk. This is why work needs to be completed efficiently and to a high standard.
2. Fosters pride in the community
Community pride is a key component in social housing. Residents want to be proud of their neighbourhood, and living in homes that are well looked after is key to this. Not only is it important for aesthetic reasons, but it also encourages the community to treat the area with respect and helps to create a positive community identity.
3. Improves social connections
Well-maintained housing and a sense of pride in the community will inevitably lead to stronger social connections among residents. This helps to improve the quality of life in a neighbourhood, as residents feel a sense of belonging and feel supported. It also creates a better relationship between tenants, operatives and the organisations that deliver social housing maintenance services.
4. Helps mental and physical health
Poor living conditions lead to a negative impact on both mental and physical health. This has become a big talking point in the UK in recent years, following cases where a lack of housing maintenance has caused tenants to fall fatally ill. Reacting to issues quickly can prevent physical health conditions from developing and improve the overall wellbeing of tenants.
How housing maintenance software can help
Approximately 38% of UK social housing residents live with unresolved maintenance issues. As an industry, this is a statistic that needs to be addressed urgently. If you need to revolutionise your maintenance and repairs service, then high-quality housing maintenance software is the solution.
Technology can play a crucial role in streamlining processes and housing maintenance software has the power to massively enhance the efficiency of repairs operations. The software enables housing associations, contractors and local authorities to manage and deliver maintenance effectively.
Plus, housing maintenance software allows for greater data analysis, helping identify patterns and areas that require proactive maintenance. This means an organisation is able to reduce the amount of emergency repairs and minimise the disruption to residents’ lives.
At ROCC, our cloud-based social housing maintenance software allows tenants to report issues through user-friendly interfaces and track the job’s status in real-time – facilitating constant mobile communication. Maintenance teams can track and address issues effectively, meaning work is carried out on time and within budget.
With our game-changing software, you can significantly increase tenant and operative satisfaction, all while achieving the social housing maintenance benefits we have discussed in this article.
Next steps
Caring for the community involves so much more than providing a roof over someone’s head. It’s about creating a living environment for tenants that prioritises their wellbeing. Organisations involved in the delivery of social housing maintenance and repairs have a responsibility to help create vibrant, healthy communities.
The pressure on housing associations, contractors and local authorities to achieve this is greater than ever before, with an increase in tenant expectations and stricter government regulations. This is why your organisation needs to embrace technology and reliable housing maintenance software.
Investing in social housing maintenance software is an investment in the happiness and prosperity of the tenants you serve.
Get in touch with ROCC today to see how we can help you.