Councils are to be judged on the cost of managing and maintaining their stock each year, and the cash total of their rent arrears under Best Value
A draft list of fifteen long-awaited performance indicators for housing, passed to Housing Today, includes the proportion of homeless applicants dealt with in 33 days, arrangements for tenant participation, and average relet times for voids.

But the most contentious on the list is an indicator on management and maintenance costs per dwelling per year.

Government research found that housing management was virtually impossible to pin down and that a number of factors beyond the control of councils influenced costs (Housing Today, issue 147).

But in a concession to councils, it is expected to stress that some of the indicators, including management costs per dwelling, should only be used at a local level.

One source said: "It is difficult to see how that indicator can be meaningfully used for comparative purposes, given that in-depth government research showed that both in accounting terms and in considering the housing management task there was complete variation across authorities."

Another indicator which is likely to be controversial is the plan to reveal rent arrears in cash terms - this will embarrass authorities in some arrears far more than others.

The finalised list of housing PIs is being drawn up by the Audit Commission and the government.

The list is expected to be published for consultation shortly together with the other local authority Best Value indicators.

Hammersmith and Fulham housing director Barry Simons said: "What the government should be doing is looking at these PIs sensibly, not looking at them with a perceive conceived notion that cheapest is best."

But he added: "The ability to look at comparative cost with adjacent boroughs is still very useful."

The draft version reveals that there are likely to be 15 housing indicators including:

  • Arrangements for tenant participation
  • Tenant satisfaction with overall housing service
  • Percentage of rent collected per year
  • Rent arrears of current tenants
  • Rent written off as a percentage of arrears
  • Rent lost in cash through voids
  • Average relet time (excluding dwellings with major repairs)
  • Average time to complete non-urgent responsive repairs
  • Percentage completed in limits as set down in the secure tenant regulations
  • Percentage of dwellings in need dealt with in a year
  • Average annual change in SAP rating
  • Private sector energy rating.

Source

Housing Today