Savills, an international firm of property consultants, has completed a major stock condition survey of Housing Executive homes and has concluded that the Housing Executive’s stock is by far the best quality housing stock that they have ever inspected.
Despite this, 17% of the Housing Executive stock is below the Decent Homes standard and requires investment, primarily to replace obsolete and inefficient heating systems.
Welcoming the report Margaret Ritchie said: "The condition of the housing stock is a credit to the hard work and dedication of the Housing Executive. The report will now allow me to direct capital and revenue resources to ensure we get the best value regarding the repair, maintenance and improvement of the homes. I note the guidance that Savills is offering on maintenance strategy and I will be studying the recommendations carefully in the weeks ahead."
A representative mix of over 9,000 properties across different property types throughout the Province were surveyed and Savills has made a series of recommendations relative to the Housing Executive stock which the Minister will now consider.
The company has undertaken the vast majority of stock condition surveys of Local Authorities and Housing Association properties throughout the UK in the last 10 years.
Notes to Editors:
1. The objectives of the survey were:-
- To support the Department for Social Development’s strategic planning in relation to the future investment requirements and day to day needs of the Housing Executive stock.
- To enable the Department to direct Capital and Revenue resources to best effect the repair, maintenance and improvement of the stock at dwelling, estate and area levels.
- To provide the information to enable achievement and maintenance of the Decent Homes Standards with a five year future business plan Maintenance Investment Strategy.
- To deliver a repairs and maintenance schedule that is necessary to keep the units in tenantable condition and consider the investment requirements as part of a comprehensive review of the current Housing Executive Maintenance Investment Strategy.
2. Media inquiries to Philip Maguire DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496 mobile 07788 108657. Out of hours please contact Duty Press Office via pager No 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
