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RICS and NHF to develop new social housing survey standard



The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the National Housing Federation (NHF) are collaborating on a new stock condition survey standard for UK social housing.


The organisations are aiming to create a “consistent and accurate barometer of the condition of the UK’s social housing sector”.

This will be for the benefit of housing associations, local authorities and other landlords.

Though many housing associations survey their stock on a regular basis, the NHF has argued that having a universal approach to collecting information would give greater confidence to residents and landlords alike.

This will incorporate current regulatory requirements with potential alignment with the new Decent Homes Standard, announced earlier this week by the government.

RICS and NHF hope to complete and launch this new standard in 2025.

"This new partnership with the NHF is timely, given the government’s plans to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years,” said Justin Young, CEO of RICS.

“Ending the housing crisis not only begins with building new homes; it must also include the renovation and retrofit of existing homes, improving the quality, quantity, and sustainability of social housing. Initial responses from housing associations have been positive, and there appears to be a real political will to put housing at the forefront."

Kate Henderson, CEO of the NHF, added: “This survey will be an invaluable resource, helping the sector to assess the quality of their homes in a consistent way, and giving both landlords and residents greater confidence.

“It builds on the work housing associations are already doing to improve their homes and services, including reviewing their repairs processes and increasing investment in their existing homes by 20% for each of the last two years.”



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