Keeping the lights on for Redditch Borough Council tenants
Transcription
Keeping the lights on for Redditch Borough Council tenants
Case study: Redditch Keeping the lights on for Redditch Borough Council tenants The challenge Redditch Borough Council (RBC) owns over 6,000 properties. It’s essential to ensure electrical standards for tenants in any kind of rented housing, sheltered or community accommodation, but also RBC wanted to reduce its overall running costs. Following an audit of its portfolio, RBC was looking for a provider to help manage a 5-year programme of improvement works – wideranging works, to include electrical rewires and the rollout of more efficient, lower cost lighting solutions (particularly in communal areas). The solution Rather than proposing a propertywide blanket rewire, npower Business and Social Housing proposed a comprehensive, ongoing programme of action and support for the Council and its residents, which included the employment of a Tenant Liaison Officer (TLO) in the area. Our system of survey and testing meant only conducting necessary works: many homes didn’t need a full rewire, an upgrade was enough. We simply updated the bonding, changed the accessories and fitted new consumer units. This saved RBC in excess of £1,200 per property. In sheltered accommodation, we fitted UK-manufactured LED lighting with microwave sensors in the communal areas (which brought a further 60% annual cost saving); we also installed hard-wired smoke detectors and made sure that any scheduled electrical works could be carried out at the same time as a programme of heating upgrades that were taking place. Client: Redditch Borough Council (RBC) Results: • £1,200 saving on installation in each property • £800 saving per communal area • £248 per annum saving by installing LEDs vs. standard lighting fittings Scope: Electrical rewires and upgrades to over 6,000 properties, including LED lighting and smoke detector installs to communal areas Duration: 5 years (April 2012 to March 2017) Savings, balanced with customer care Although a reduction in overheads was a priority, our experience in running this kind of programme meant we could help RBC provide a service that prioritised its tenants needs’ too. The TLO engaged with residents directly, and visited those affected to explain what work will be carried out, manage their expectations and deal with any issues up front. Using RBC’s data, we contacted tenants to arrange suitable appointments (we also sent text reminders, 24 hours before the appointment – which led to a 90% first time access rate for the contract). We’ve also provided a 24 hour a day, 365 days a year responsive repairs service. This way, tenants know they can make emergency call outs for electrical breakdowns at any time of day. “npower is an excellent contractor, works are delivered on time and within budget. Complaints were at minimum and npower have an excellent track record with customer care; any rare complaint is dealt with as a matter of urgency in a professional manner.” Peter Vamplew, Housing Capital Manager, Redditch Borough Council Contact us: Visit npower.com/socialhousing Email es.sales@npower.com Or contact your Business Development Manager npower is a registered trademark. Npower Business and Social Housing Limited (registered in England & Wales No 00893718) whose registered office is at Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon, SN5 6PB is a member of the RWE Npower group. npm11794/MM17657/02.15