An inspection of the Liverpool based Villages Housing Association found 'more strengths than weaknesses' in the services inspected according to a report released today by the independent Audit Commission.
A short-notice inspection by Audit Commission inspectors revealed a mixed performance in how the Liverpool based housing association delivers day-to-day repairs, gas servicing, income and asset management. The inspectors found that strengths outweighed weaknesses in repairs, gas and income management, but found that services were not always accessible to all local people, and that Villages is not necessarily delivering good value for money.
Riza Yassin, Audit Commission Lead Housing Inspector, said:
'It's pleasing that Villages has improved since we last inspected and that a high proportion of tenants are satisfied with services they receive. But the association now needs to assess whether services are inclusive for all local people, and to fully assess the condition of its housing stock.'
* It is easy to access services, staff are helpful and tenants satisfaction is rising
* Most repairs are completed on time
* Tenants are able to access advice and assistance which has reduced levels of arrears and increased the amount of rent collected
* Gas servicing is done effectively
Weaknesses include:
* Villages is not sure whether its services meet the diverse needs of all people living in the areas they serve or whether its services offer good value for money
* Information about property conditions is flawed and this means that improvement and investment may not be well prioritised
* Arrears left when tenants move to new accommodation are high and increasing.
To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations. These include:
* Developing a better understanding of value for money and taking action where needed
* Developing better knowledge of customers' needs and tailoring services to meet them
* Improving collection of arrears from former tenants
The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) is the affordable housing regulator in England and works with the Audit Commission on the inspection of housing associations. The TSA commissions the Audit Commission to carry out inspections and the results are used by the TSA in its overall assessment of housing association performance.