2627-0131 Void Reservicing, Refurbishment, and New Tenancy Repair Works

The Council is a landlord to tenants living in homes located across the borough. The Council has let an average of 900 properties per year, over the last two years.

Demand for social housing within the borough is extremely high. It is essential that void properties are reserviced to a high-quality standard and in a timely manner, to enable the efficient letting of vacant homes within the borough.

Voids reservicing and refurbishment involves preparing vacant properties for new tenants. Voids may arise due to formal termination of a tenancy, abandonment of a tenancy, transfer of a tenancy, evictions, or a tenant’s death.

Service delivery will also include void reservicing and refurbishment for properties used for temporary accommodation. This includes Buy-Backs (where the Council repurchases homes previously sold under ‘Right to Buy’), General Needs Temporary Accommodation (GNTA), and other temporary accommodation projects (e.g. Afghan Refugee Project, Rough Sleepers).

The council is required to provide white goods and furnishings for void properties that fall under these schemes, therefore the contract will also extend to cover such. The scope of works under the contracts are divided into four categories: Basic Voids, Standard Voids, Standard Plus Voids, and Major Works Voids.

Works categorised under Basic Voids include simple refurbishment (painting & decorating, minor repairs etc), and are completed and made tenantable within a 10-day period. Works categorised under Standard Voids include but is not limited to, clearing property of any furniture/household items that are no longer useful, asbestos surveys, electrical and gas testing, heating system renewals, and carrying out any required repairs and to ensure the property can be let, and is ready for new tenants.

Standard Plus Voids include the same reservicing and refurbishment as all Standard Voids, but also includes works such as kitchen or bathroom replacements, and asbestos removal works. Major Works Voids are properties that may have had a complex repairs history, and/or had issues involving damp and ongoing leaks, and will require a full refurbishment to bring the property up to a lettable standard.

This includes kitchen and bathroom replacement, and structural repair works such as full replastering. The Council is preparing to procure four (4) contractors to deliver its void service requirements.

In line with the Council’s objectives, the Council is committed to reducing barriers to entry and encouraging a diverse and competitive marketplace. As such, the Council welcomes feedback from organisations of sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and local suppliers.

The estimated value of the proposed contract has not yet been finalised. However, based on current projections and anticipated service requirements, the total contract value over the maximum proposed term of four (4) years is anticipated to be in excess of £30 million.