LHP Halves Time to Turn Around Empty Properties Since Autumn
Lincolnshire Housing Partnership has significantly reduced the time needed to prepare empty homes for new tenants, improving efficiency and service.
Lincolnshire, Housing, LHP, Empty Homes, North East Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire: So, the Lincolnshire Housing Partnership (LHP) has been busy! They manage over 6,100 affordable homes in North East Lincolnshire. Recently, they shared some exciting news about how they’re handling empty properties.
Mark Coupland, the executive director, explained that since autumn, they’ve totally revamped how they manage these empty homes. Can you believe they’ve cut the turnaround time from 121 days in September to just 64 days by November? That’s a huge improvement!
And it gets better! Last year, they managed to relet 320 properties in the area. They’re also looking to boost their in-house team to handle repairs, which means less reliance on outside contractors. Smart move, right?
Mr. Coupland mentioned they’ve even brought in a new empty homes manager to oversee everything. They’re currently reviewing all empty homes, and this should wrap up by March 2025. It’s all about making things more efficient.
Of course, fixing up these homes isn’t cheap. Some repairs can cost between £10,000 and £20,000. In November, they paused work on 65 properties because they needed a lot of attention. They’re focusing on the homes that can be ready the quickest first.
Previously, the average turnaround time was around 80 days, which was considered too long. But once the homes are fixed up, customers are generally happy with the results, scoring a 92% satisfaction rate!
They also meet with the council every couple of months to discuss housing issues. Cllr Kevin Shutt pointed out that LHP hasn’t had the best reputation in the area, but he’s optimistic about the changes. He even suggested having a dedicated person to work closely with local councillors, which Mr. Coupland confirmed they’re starting to do.
In the past, LHP hasn’t been the most active partner, but they’re looking to change that. For the next few years, their focus will be on housing linked to developer agreements, aiming for about 60 new affordable homes annually. It’s a step in the right direction!