Find out about our housing stock condition surveys and how we carry them out.
Hounslow Council has appointed Property tectonics to carry out stock conditions surveys across all of our council housing. These surveys help us understand the condition of homes and plan for future maintenance. Property Tectonics’ qualified surveyors have extensive experience working with housing providers across the UK.
Why are we doing stock condition surveys
The Government’s Safety and quality standard requires landlords to ‘have an accurate record at an individual property level of the condition of their homes, based on a physical assessment of all homes – and keep this up to date’. This helps landlords provide ‘good quality, well-maintained and safe homes for tenants. It also ensures homes meet legal health and safety standards and the Decent homes standard.
We will carry out condition surveys of all homes every five years, in enough detail to help us stay informed and compliant on their quality and safety.
What to expect from a stock condition survey
The survey will check the overall condition of your home and record important features - such as stairlifts, smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and heating systems. This information helps us plan future work and meet government regulations.
The surveyor will complete a visual inspection of the inside and outside of your home, including, (but not limited to), your:
- Roof
- Doors and windows
- Guttering
- Boiler
- Kitchen and bathroom
- Garden (if applicable)
The surveyor will take photos of parts of your property. These will not include you or anyone else in your home. We are not checking how clean or tidy your home is and we are not assessing your lifestyle.
Arranging the survey
You will receive a letter from Property tectonics before the visit, offering you an appointment.
You must be at home during the survey, which will take 30 to 45 minutes.
If you need to rearrange your appointment, please contact Property Tectonics using the details in the letter as soon as possible. We understand it can be difficult to be home during the day and are happy to arrange a time that suits you.
Does the survey need to be carried out in all homes?
Yes. It is now a legal requirement that landlords have an up to date understanding of the condition of all their properties based on a physical inspection.
Surveys will only be carried out in council-rented homes. Leaseholder homes will not be included in this programme.
Who will survey my home
Your survey will be carried out by a qualified Property tectonics surveyors. All surveyors carry official ID.
Always check ID before allowing anyone into your home.
Getting ready for the survey
You do not need to tidy your home, but please make sure the surveyor can access:
- Each room in your home
- Your loft (if you have one)
- Built-in cupboard space (such as where your boiler is located)
- Your garden or outhouses (if applicable)
You will not need to move furniture or lift carpets.
Repairs
Property Tectonics will not be carrying out repairs.
To report a repair, please contact Hounslow Council’s Customer Services Team on 020 8583 4000, or email repairs.team@hounslow.gov.uk.
How we use the survey information
The survey gives us accurate information about the condition, age, and expected lifespan of your home. This helps us make informed decisions about repairs, maintenance and future investments.
Benefits of the survey include:
- Meeting the Government’s Safety and Quality Standard.
- Making sure properties meet safety and quality requirements.
- Understanding the current condition of homes and planning investment.
- Identifying serious Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) hazards, which will be escalated for action.
- Supporting long-term planning and budgeting.
- Keeping our asset management database up to date.
- Protecting the long-term value of our housing stock.
For more information
If you have any questions about this survey, please the Hounslow Council’s Customer Services Team on 0208 583 4000.
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