A major inspection programme to improve the standard and condition of homes for council tenants across the town has started as part of Harlow Council’s priority to fix council housing.
This week, tenants within the Harlow Common ward will start to receive letters advising them that the independent specialist assessments on behalf of the council, on the condition of its housing stock, are due to begin. It is the first time in a number of years that the council has commissioned a specialist stock condition survey of this type.
The updated stock condition survey of the council's 9,000 plus homes will look at the state of internal and external components, including kitchens, bathrooms, central heating systems, roofs, walls and other external structures.
The survey is starting with the inspection of every single council home in the Potter Street area. The data gathered from this will inform how the inspection programme is carried to other council homes across the town.
The council is investing tens of millions of pounds this year into its priority to fix council housing and the new specialist survey data will help the council prioritise this work over the next year and in future years.
Councillor David Carter, cabinet portfolio holder for housing, said:
“As part of delivering our priority to fix council housing, we need up-to-date specialist and independent information on the condition of our housing stock. This is so we can better maintain and improve our homes and have a clear picture of what work we need to prioritise.
“Our homes should be warm, safe, and decent places to live in and the results of the survey will help us prioritise our housing investment programmes, energy efficiency initiatives, disabled adaptations work and overall improve the condition of our tenants’ homes. This is just one way in which we are fixing council housing.”