New modern repairs service launched for council tenants
A new, more helpful, flexible and responsive repairs service has gone live today (July 1) for Birmingham City Council tenants and leaseholders.
Under the new service, tenants will be able to report repairs more easily and conveniently, with a new digitised repairs journey designed to improve communication and tenant satisfaction.
Clearer communication about upcoming works, timeframes, and any changes, as well as more freedom to reschedule appointments when needed, can also be expected.
New technology and systems will be installed to track the condition of Birmingham’s council homes to make them warmer and more sustainable to heat. This new technology will deliver better value for money for both the council and tenants.
Equans, WPS and Mears are the contractors responsible for day-to-day repairs under the new service. Equans will manage homes in the east of Birmingham, WPS in the north and south of Birmingham, and Mears in the central and west of Birmingham.
The new contractors will also work closely with the council to facilitate the council’s investment of more than £200m a year, ensuring council homes meet the right standards for years to come.
Through this investment programme, the council has driven 35,000 upgrades to 6,000 council homes in the past year. As the investment programme continues, the new service will work closely with it to minimise disruption.
Cllr Baber Baz, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said:
“The new modern service will ensure tenants are getting the quality of service our tenants rightly expect and deserve.
“We have used extensive tenant feedback to establish this new service. They have been clear with us that they want a service that is easier to use, more flexible, and provides clearer communication and updates on the repairs they report.
“Improving our council homes and the service we provide to our tenants is a top priority for us. It’s why we are investing more £200m a year in our council homes so that they meet the right standards now, and in the future. These new contracts will ensure we keep the pace of that investment so all our tenants and leaseholders are living in warm, safe and sustainable homes.”
