Dear Resident,
The Barnet Homes Resident Board met in June with Barnet Homes’ senior team to discuss key issues affecting tenants and leaseholders. The meeting was also observed by an inspector from the Regulator of Social Housing, showing the importance of residents’ voices in shaping housing services.
June also marked one year since we introduced a new meeting format that focuses entirely on the top concerns we share as residents. This change has allowed us to delve deeper into the issues that matter most and make sure our time is spent tackling the challenges that affect us all.
Repairs – our top priority
Repairs remain a key focus, and the Board welcomed encouraging updates on the Repairs Improvement Plan.
What’s improved so far:
- Overall satisfaction with repairs has risen by 4.4%, up from 78.9% to 3%.
- Satisfaction with repairs being done “right first time” has improved by 5.2%, from 75.1% to 3%.
Work underway to make repairs better:
- Adjusting staff resources so jobs can be completed more efficiently.
- Tackling gaps in specialist trade skills and reducing reliance on agency staff.
- Improving productivity across repair teams.
- Developing a new, resident-informed approach to managing leaks, with changes due this autumn.
The Board also welcomed positive steps to listen to vulnerable tenants. A Barnet Homes Customer Care Officer recently spoke directly with residents supported by the Floating Support service, gathering their experiences of using the Repairs Service. These case studies are now being used in staff training to improve customer care.
The Resident Board is pleased to see real progress in the Repairs Service, but we remain committed to ensuring every resident feels the benefit of these improvements first-hand.
If you would like to be part of shaping and improving the services we all rely on, please don’t hesitate to contact Liz Banson by email at getinvolved@barnethomes.org.
Best wishes,
Tatiana