Sutton Housing Partnership

Stock Condition Survey for Sutton Housing Partnership

The Project

Faithorn Farrell Timms LLP was appointed by Sutton Housing Partnership (SHP) to undertake a stock condition survey covering 6,000 dwellings and 450 communal blocks. Our client wished to capture full component information for the assets in order to provide data for works programming and long term financial forecasting.

The main objectives were to collect key and relevant information on the construction form, component condition and energy data in RdSAP format. Data was to be provided in a manner compatible with the Northgate asset management database.

Our Role

To hold a workshop with key stakeholders to design new survey forms.
To collect data pertinent to the outputs required by SHP and to inform a new asset management strategy.
To inspect a sample of 75% of dwellings and all communal blocks.

The Challenges

SHP were transitioning from their existing database, Codeman, to implement the new Northgate asset management system and the incumbent system data capture software was not yet available for use.
The 75% sample for occupied dwellings was regarded as ambitious, especially during Covid-19 restrictions.
Once surveys commenced, it was discovered that we could not achieve visual access to a significant number of roofs coverings for taller buildings.

The Solution

We liaised with our Client to ensure that the new survey design and configuration was integrated within Northgate during the implementation process. We utilised third party data capture systems to conduct the surveys on tablet PCs as Northgate mobile was not yet available.

Despite a slightly late start due to the software issues, we achieved the 75% sample and finished the surveys one month earlier than the original programme devised. Government guidance for working in other persons’ homes during Covid was followed with a strict risk assessment procedure, PPE and risk mitigation measures.

We project managed the capture of aerial images by drone and telescopic camera for high level components not visible and incorporated the information into the stock data to alleviate assumed component types and condition.

Added Value

As we have also been appointed to provide asset management services following the delivery of the stock condition data, the survey was designed with the foresight into the outputs and deliverables required to inform new strategies and to ensure that the information collected was fit for purpose.

We used our expertise in data management to develop appropriate work around data capture solutions to ensure that the overall objectives were achieved in terms of the key delivery timescales, running concurrently with the new database system implementation.

We worked with SHP’s works team to ensure that any health and safety issues recorded were treated as an early warning trigger to be investigated further to reduce our Client’s exposure to potential legal disrepair claims.

Facts

Client:

Sutton Housing Partnership

Address:

Various Properties in South London & Surrey

Project Dates:

August 2020 - June 2021

Sector:

Housing

Key contact

Matt Meehan

Equity Partner

01689 885 080

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