Behind the headlines
By Helen Knight, Communications Officer, Trent & Dove Housing With the introduction of Awaab’s Law this October, housing associations are taking vital steps forward, introducing stringent timeframes to swiftly address damp and mould cases. Trent & Dove has already taken a proactive approach by incorporating the upcoming legislative changes into its recent repairs […]
From the Chief Executive…’How do we get shared ownership back on track?’
You’ve got to feel for Angela Rayner. She’s trying to build as many homes as possible, but it must seem like everything is against her. The latest setback is a national shortage of bricks. Already experts are telling her to use all manner of weird and wonderful alternatives to bricks. Have we forgotten the lessons […]
Housing in Practice: Keeping the loan sharks at bay
In the latest in our Housing in Practice series, Neil Merrick reports on a housing association that’s helping tenants fend off illegal money lenders by advising them on ways to manage their household budget. The resident’s story Having spent weeks in hospital with Covid and then losing his job, Gregg Coton was struggling to […]
The last word
We need to stop treating board members like children By Hannah Fearn, freelance journalist specialising in social affairs It’s been a frustrating year so far. With the government charging towards its 1.5 million new homes target and a big announcement from the prime minister on new towns, I should have been hammering […]
A life in 15 questions
Julia Mixter Executive Director – Business Services, Anchor 1 What do you do for fun? Day to day, I love walking, lifting weights and meeting up with friends for coffee. I’m also partial to a good spa. Each year I like to try something different, like paragliding, a marathon, colour run or […]
A life in 15 questions
Gordon Perry Former CEO Accent Group, governing board member at the Chartered Institute of Housing and 2025 Housing’s Next Generation judge 1 What do you do for fun? HOLIDAYS, mostly cruising. Eating out or theatre with friends and family. Talking and debating over a nice glass or two – oh and lots of […]
Landlords need better data to build trust with tenants
By Paul Evans, Chief Executive Mobysoft The social housing sector is getting to grips with the scale of its crisis around data. In a digitally-enabled world that’s driving up service standards in other areas of people’s lives, poor-quality, fragmented and outdated information is making it harder for landlords to meet tenant expectations, […]
Ombudsman corner
By Richard Blakeway, the Housing Ombudsman Every property manager will know the importance of complying with the ‘Big 6’ health and safety issues, ranging from gas to fire to lift safety. These are underpinned by a strong statutory framework stretching back decades. While there are other bodies that may look at […]
HQM investigates: How the government triggered an unintentional surge in right to buy applications
“Extraordinary”, “regrettable”, “unprecedented”. These are a few of the words used to describe the surge in right to buy applications local authorities have received since the government announced a significant reduction in discounts in last year’s autumn statement. Keith Cooper investigates the unintentional consequences of a policy designed to save social housing stock. Chancellor […]
‘I’m just a girl from a council estate in Brixton’ – Florence Eshalomi on why housing is personal
As chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee, Florence Eshalomi has responsibility for investigating some of the major housing issues facing this country, while at the same helping to inform government policy. In this exclusive and wide-ranging interview with HQM, Florence talks to Jon Land about the committee’s recent inquiry into children […]