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Voids management

Voids management

This procedure is part of the Council’s Voids Policy. It sets out what needs to be done to get a void property ready for a new tenancy. The Voids Policy explains our approach to repairing and letting void properties to our residents, most importantly housing applicants, in a way that clearly sets out the standard of service that can be expected. This procedure on the other hand focuses directly on what needs to be done by Council officers and contractors, when and by whom.

Click here for the full guidance.

The housing management manual on updating Northgate.

Scope

For the purposes of this procedure all void council dwellings are allocated into one of four classifications:

Void Classification

Repairs phase duration

(in working days)

Void description

 

Routine

 

<=10 days

Clean through

Statutory compliance inspections and certification (including EICRs and LGSRs)

Minimal repairs

 

 

 

 

Minor

 

 

 

 

<= 15 days

Clean through

Statutory compliance inspections and certification (including EICRs and LGSRs)

Minor works (renewing one element – kitchen / bathroom / rewire / heating system, etc)

 

 

 

Major

 

 

 

<= 20 days

Clean through

Statutory compliance inspections and certification (including EICRs and LGSRs)

Minor works (renewing two elements – kitchen / bathroom / rewire / heating system, etc)

 

 

 

Long-term  (Complex voids)

 

 

 

 

 

20 days plus

Extensive Damp issues - (dry rot, rising damp)

Statutory Works – (planning, party wall matters, right of light, building control)

Structural Works – subsidence/underpinning, roof renewal, remodelling works, extensions, large facade works)

Insurance claims – (fire, flood damage)

Properties subject to disrepair claims

Complex planned works– retrofit, heating upgrades, FRA upgrades

For further guidance on how properties ‘held’ in the voids process for decants or for other reasons are progressed (including discretionary works above the voids lettable standard) see the following procedures:

  • Decants procedure (includes how beneficial transfers are progressed and any additional void works required)
  • Property disposal procedure
  • Compliance with FRA
  • Environmental voids
  • Void properties being used by the police
  • Void properties awaiting the outcome of a legal process
  • Voids on regen sites

The following Council properties, when void, are not covered by this procedure:

Type of property

Council commercial properties

Council corporate properties

Leasehold properties

Homeless hostels

Decant properties
Last updated: 14 November 2024