Peabody has made a significant decision in awarding £1 billion worth of maintenance and repair contracts across London, responding to past service shortcomings.
- The housing association announced the provisional selection of five contractors, including major names such as Wates and Kier, to address maintenance failures.
- The selected contractors will operate regional repair teams, with further local teams to be established for specific neighbourhoods.
- Recent findings of severe maladministration necessitated a strategic overhaul to improve residents’ living conditions.
- Consultations with stakeholders like freeholders and tenants are underway regarding the new appointments.
Peabody’s decision to award maintenance and repair contracts worth £1bn represents a strategic move aimed at overhauling its services across London. This initiative follows a history of underperformance in maintenance services, prompting the housing association to seek more effective solutions. The provisional selection of five contractors—Wates, Kier, Axis, KBH Building Services, and Gilmartins—marks a pivotal moment in this endeavour.
These contractors will form part of a new structure of regional repair teams. Notably, these teams are intended to support local repair teams, which are to be created separately and will focus on specific estates and neighbourhoods. This double-layered approach aims to ensure that repair efforts are more localised, thereby enhancing efficiency and responsiveness.
Peabody has communicated its intentions directly to residents, emphasising the creation of regional teams to foster local knowledge and relationships. According to a statement seen by Construction News, this restructuring is designed to deliver “swift, tailored solutions” to meet the varied needs of residents.
The urgency of this overhaul is underscored by recent determinations from the Housing Ombudsman. Instances of severe maladministration have been documented, with notable cases involving prolonged neglect that left residents in poor living conditions. In one such instance, a resident endured an unresolved leaking pipe issue for eight years, while another family lived for two years with inadequate repairs causing damp and mould.
Given these challenges, the five-year initial term for these contracts—with options to extend to a total of 10 years—reflects Peabody’s long-term commitment to addressing deep-rooted issues. This process also includes current stakeholder consultations, ensuring that the views of freeholders, leaseholders, and tenants inform the final contractor appointments.
Peabody’s strategic allocation of £1bn in repair contracts underscores a concerted effort to redress past maintenance failures and improve living conditions for its residents.
