This is the second of a series of briefings examining in more detail the six new national standards for registered providers in England

During the National Conversation, tenants identified repairs and maintenance as their top priority, with the quality of their homes coming a close second.

The Home Standard sets out the TSA's "required outcomes" for the standard of repairs and maintenance undertaken by registered providers and for the quality of accommodation they offer from 1 April 2010.

The Home Standard covers repairs and maintenance and the quality of accommodation provided.

What does this mean for you?

Repairs and maintenance
 The Home Standard requires a registered provider's repairs and maintenance arrangements to:

  • be cost-effective and demonstrate value for money;
  • be responsive to the needs of, and offer choices to, tenants (for example, choices of kitchen finishes and appointments);
  • have the objective of getting repairs and improvements "right first time";
  • meet all statutory health and safety requirements (eg, in relation to fire safety in flats); and
  • have an appropriate balance between planned and responsive repairs.


Tenants must be given an opportunity to agree "local offers". These are likely to cover things like response times and how responsive repairs are categorised (eg, as emergency, urgent, routine). Any local repairs and maintenance standards must be higher than the minimum national standard.

The TSA expects registered providers to provide clear information to tenants about health and safety responsibilities and the progress of works.

Quality of accommodation

Registered providers are expected to ensure all their housing stock meets the Government's Decent Homes standard by 31 December 2010.

As well as achieving the 31 December 2010 deadline (subject to any extension agreed with the TSA), registered providers must continue to maintain their stock to at least the Decent Homes standard after that date.

The guidance does not deal with the position of local authorities if the resources available for maintenance provided through the subsidy system are inadequate to maintain Decency. Even with the proposed increase of 5% in the Major Repairs Allowance provided under the subsidy system, this will be a real issue for many local authorities and ALMOs.

All housing is expected also to meet any higher design and quality standards that applied when it was built or that were set as a condition of any financial assistance granted by the Homes and Communities Agency and its predecessors (including the Housing Corporation).

By 1 October in each year registered providers need to send an annual report to tenants that sets out how they are meeting their repairs and maintenance and decency/quality of accommodation obligations. This must include details of how they are performing in relation to meeting the National Standards, details of any local standards and any gaps and areas for improvement.

Repairs and maintenance contracts are some of the most important contracts a registered provider will agree. Guidance on the procurement and maintenance of these contracts can be found in the new "Contract Management, a Guide" published by the National Housing Federation which Andrew Millross, Partner contributed to (available from www.housing.org.uk , click on "Publications").

How we can help?

We can help you set up effective repairs and maintenance and Decent Homes contracts through:

  • working with you to agree your contract strategy;
  • reviewing your contract and procurement documents, or preparing bespoke documents for you based on our regularly updated templates;
  • providing training on standard form contracts that may be new to you;
  • drafting amendments to standard contracts that are appropriate to your circumstances; and
  • helping you resolve problems with current contracts.

The new regulatory framework document and accompanying annex document, is available at: http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ConWebDoc.20175

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.