The Funding Issues faced by Local Authorities

LISTEN HERE Mark Edgerley of Boyer comments on the impact of the proposed Infrastructure Levy The news in September 2023 that Birmingham City Council (‘Europe’s largest local authority’) had been forced to issue a Section 114 notice sent out a... View Article

Landlord Latest: Salix Homes

LISTEN HERE Salix Homes is a housing association based in Salford, Greater Manchester, providing social and affordable homes and housing services Salix Homes own and manage over 8,000 homes, which comprises a real mix of properties including tower blocks and... View Article

Futurebuild unites top innovators & collaborators

LISTEN HERE Futurebuild, the built environment’s most influential event for innovation and collaboration returns 5-7 March 2024 at London’s ExCeL. Promising to be the most transformative yet, it will carry on its mission of taking a stand for a better... View Article

Key requirements for wayfinding

LISTEN HERE Danny Adamson from Stocksigns Ltd discusses some of the new regulations regarding wayfinding signage following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and the implementation of The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 On the 15th June 2017, just one day after... View Article

The need for closure

LISTEN HERE Rob Adams from Arrone, shares best practice guidance for making sure door closers within student halls of residence comply with the latest safety standards Door closers play an integral part in making sure doors open and close effectively.... View Article

Facing up to mould & damp

LISTEN HERE Wendy Thomas at Nuaire discusses the changes to regulations that social housing providers need to be aware of when addressing mould and damp and looks at different retrofit solutions available for compliance Condensation and dampness in older homes... View Article

Smart roof specification

LISTEN HERE Local authorities can better support social housing tenants through smart and well-timed roofing specification choices, as Stuart Nicholson from Marley explains Over the past year, and for several reasons, residential energy costs have increased. For many social housing... View Article

HOMES UK is an unmissable event

LISTEN HERE In 2023, housing providers face increased obligations to simultaneously: improve housing standards and tackle disrepair, empower tenants, meet net zero targets, address building safety and increase housing supply. In the face of limited resources, it’s more important than... View Article

Maintaining smoke control systems

LISTEN HERE Recent high-profile incidents have reaffirmed the need for regular smoke control system maintenance carried out by competent contractors. David Mowatt from the Smoke Control Association (SCA), examines the latest maintenance requirements Waiting until it is too late to... View Article

Effectively venting all year round

LISTEN HERE Richard Carter from EnviroVent looks at how installing effective mechanical ventilation systems can reduce the maintenance burden that some housing associations experience in the winter months, and in turn positively impact tenant health As we approach Autumn, thoughts... View Article

Help on the road to zero carbon homes

LISTEN HERE The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund could see social housing providers upgrade the energy efficiency of up to 90,000 homes. Some of these homes will be relatively straightforward to upgrade, others will require a joined-up approach as Caroline Bowler... View Article

Passive fire safety explored

LISTEN HERE Graham Laws from Siderise Insulation explores some of the ways residential building owners and managers can ensure that buildings and their occupiers are properly protected with accurate passive fire protection such as cavity barriers and firestops Ensuring the... View Article

Why wall panels are the greener option

LISTEN HERE With the environmental impact of the built environment well known to most, housing managers are always looking for new ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Scott Beattie from Fibo, explores why wall panels can offer a more sustainable... View Article

Safer by design

LISTEN HERE Flooring plays a vital role in the safety as well as the comfort of our lives and is a critical consideration in the social housing, care and retirement sectors. Louise Walters from Designer Contracts explains Providing a comfortable... View Article

Are sub-roof systems the answer?

LISTEN HERE With increased scrutiny on the state and repair of social housing, when looking at new roof specification, should landlords be thinking about a whole refit, or employing more cost-effective retrofit opportunities? Ardit Strica from Onduline Building Products asks... View Article

Housing 2023

LISTEN HERE Throughout the whole of the UK, the housing sector is facing unprecedented challenges. From uncertainty in government funding; new regulations; the pressing need for more homes; the equally pressing need to maintain and improve the homes we have... View Article

What progress has been made since Grenfell?

LISTEN HERE Hannah Mansell, from the Masonite group of companies in the UK, outlines findings from research into how the public sector approaches fire safety and the biggest challenges facing organisations looking to safeguard resident wellbeing in high-rise buildings In... View Article

Good ventilation practice in social housing

LISTEN HERE Poor indoor air quality and ventilation in general current housing stock has always been a huge challenge for social housing bodies. Roy Byom from Titon explains Houses, flats and apartments built over several decades have had differing ideas... View Article

Outside spaces that work

LISTEN HERE Jack Potter from Ground Control explores how the housing sector can unlock the value of green space, and help the next generation to reap the benefits of their natural world While biodiversity recovery is often seen as second... View Article