TENANTS REPORT 2017-2018
Welcome I am delighted to have been the Chairperson of Fairfield Housing Cooperative for the last twelve months especially as we entered into the 30th anniversary of the organisation. Having been on the Management Committee for 13 years and a tenant for the last 18 years l am extremely proud of how far the Co-operative has come in that time and I look forward to remaining part of the Management Committee as the Cooperative continues to meet our vision to contribute to Perth City’s affordable housing needs by delivering high quality services, building more homes and maximising the investment standard of Fairfield’s housing stock.
A big focus for the Co-operative has been on ensuring there are opportunities to communicate with our tenants and we will be doing lots more of this next year including exploring a number of different methods to do so through areas like technology, social media and increased tenant participation. We are always keen for more local residents to become involved in how the Co-operative delivers our services and have an informal tenant’s panel which you can become involved in. If you think you may have the time and interested then please contact our office to discuss further.
2017/18 was a busy and positive year for the Co-operative. One of the major achievements was the construction of 62 new high quality rented homes in Muirton and Canal Street which were carried out in partnership with Caledonia Housing Association and Kingdom Housing Association.
Our performance over the last year has been excellent and I am especially pleased with how we have worked with the community delivering our recent fun day, supporting local groups and charities and being what a Co-operative should be in playing a supporting role within our communities to ensure tenants and their families have a neighbourhood they are proud to live within.
I am delighted that we had a focus on supporting employment opportunities and we recruited our first Modern Apprentice Alix Edward during the year. We also welcomed Helen Ross to the staff team as a Housing Officer.
I would like to express my genuine thanks to the Management Committee for their dedication and support over the year. They have been extremely supportive to me as Chairperson and their commitment to the organisation and our communities helps
us deliver the positive results hopefully all our tenants notice. I should also thank the staff team for their work during the year. These are the people that you as tenants will have most contact with and they are most responsible for the excellent tenant satisfaction the Co-operative receives. During the year George Kennedy, David Robertson and Bartosz Maroszek have all stepped down from Committee and they have been a great asset to
Introduction We are now in the fifth year of the reporting on the Scottish Housing Charter and have improved again in almost all areas. This report takes a format which has proven popular with tenants in providing you with relevant information in an easy to follow format.
INDICATORS How Fairfield Performed
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SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Scottish Social Landlord Average Performance
UP %
DOWN %
How results compare to previous year
MArch 2017
As per survey March 2017
the Co-operative during their time on the Management Committee. At the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) Carol Ferguson and Gemma Thomas were elected onto the Management Committee and I am sure they will be very valuable members over the next few years.
member of the Management Committee for many years and previously held the role of Chair. I would like to wish Connie all the best going forward in her new role. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chairperson and will continue as Secretary of the Management Committee.
Following this AGM Connie Hodge was elected as the Chairperson for the following year. Connie has been a
Finally, the Annual Report to Tenants is an opportunity for you to receive information on the performance of the
Co-operative. We have designed it in a way that is hopefully easy to read but if you would like to make any comments our staff would be delighted to hear them. Warm Regards Rena
Key Activities for 2018/19 While the Annual Report to tenants is primarily about providing you with information on our performance over the previous twelve months it is also an opportunity to give you a flavour of the work going on during 2018/19. Our partners Kingdom Housing are currently working with Ogilvie Construction to build new homes in Bridge of Earn which will be owned by the Co-operative and we are hopeful these will be available to let in spring 2019. They are a mixture of one bedroom cottage type homes and two bedroom terrace homes. A big challenge for the Co-operative and our tenants for this year will be the roll out of Universal Credit. This new benefit replaces six existing benefits and will require a range of different issues for the claimant including the need to claim online. We will be looking at ways in which we can support our tenants through this process and ensure that they are not disadvantaged when
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
it comes to managing their rental payments. We will be working with our tenants to see how we can best deliver our housing management services and in particular our estate management services, this is where we would be keen to involve a tenant’s panel to shape these services. A big focus for the Co-operative is how we communicate with you. We are aware that social media and online communication is a method which can allow us to provide you with information quickly and furthermore allow you to engage with us about any services you require. As we still are in our 30th year we will be looking at other ways in which we can celebrate the occasion. A lot has happened in Fairfield and to the Cooperative in this time and we are keen to ensure that the milestone is properly recognised.
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Remembering the Past Thirty Years Since Fairfield Housing Co-operative was formed thirty years ago thousands of people have lived within our communities. As the only local Co-operative within Perth we are tremendously proud of the fact that our tenants and their families matter to us and being small means that there is a real sense of community. We thought what better way to remember some of the last thirty years than asking the people who have been part of that period from those that have lived in Fairfield since we were formed, those that have moved into Fairfield or our new developments in the last few years, those that have served on the Management Committee and the staff that have worked to deliver the services to you. It’s really interesting to get the views of people and we were overwhelmed with the positive comments that the Co-operative received. Below you will find a selection of 30 quotes commenting on the last 30 years which we hope maybe reminds you of a memory about the area which is special to you!
“My fav ourite memory real a s a was w e “Ther y b t i r n i u n g m ing up m com sense of and always girls y n i n e h t t he area” back h it was g u o h t n n eve
fu
eme” h c s d l o an
“The bes t about li thing Fairfield ving in the imp has been rov in the ho ement mes”
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“I am very happy where I am and wouldn’t ever move anywhere else”
emory m e it r u o v a f y “M d nothing was having ha in and ed when we mov a home” to decorating it in
’t “The area wasn the n but great back the always s community wa ther” helping each o
y here a t s o t e “I cam ents r a p y m with six t s u j s a w when I ould w d n a d l years o move” never
y time m g n i r u “D Coe h t t a g workin have really I operative getting to enjoyed nants and te know the longside the a working mittee” Com “The thing I remember mo st about where I liv is my nana live e now d street I live in n in the ow such a nice me , it’s mo whenever I wa ry lk past”
“The area isn’t what it is li now but was s ke great place to till a gro there was alwa w up, y of people to pla s lots yw and was never ith in the house”
“It was pretty en rough back th ad but wasn’t a b u yo place to live if ” grew up there
“Over the years Fairfield has ch ang so much for th ed better, my dau e g were raised he hters re couldn’t wish t and I o liv anywhere else e ”
“I have stayed in Fairfield because I love the area”
“I have lots of good and bad memories living in Fairfield, but mostly good ones and seeing my family grow up here is the main one”
emory m e it r u o v a f y “M d nothing a h g in v a h s a w ed in and when we mov a home” to decorating it in
ing the n n i w e k i “It’s l in a g n i v i l s a w lottery, I onment before vir hostile en times still can’t and some I live here” believe
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
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d to “Before I move the Fairfield I knew to go to the d e s u d n a a re a d centre, neighbourhoofriendly and re the people wemove here as I wanted to y where I very unhapp re” was befo
“I have found Co-operative v the er and the staff a y helpful re r down to earth eally an easy to talk to d ” partof “The best irfield’s Fa being on Committee ent Managem presenting the re has been mmunity and tenant co pportunity to eo having th te to decisions contribu here I live” about w
n “To me Muirtolace p is the perfectry safe to live, its ve ess to and easy accPerth” anywhere in
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“The Co-o p are better erative t landlord I han any have had before”
“I have found the Co-operative fabulous!” “I am still excited about my home two years on from moving into the new development”
“The Co-o is fantasti perative c like it is ap and feels p human an roachable, d is the comm part of unity”
“As a current committee ope member my h hat is t for the future an we help create d an even stronger more vibrant community”
“To me the best part of be a Committee M ing e is that I can m mber a difference, lea ke a rn skills and help new the community of Fairfield”
“I want to see our homes bec even more des ome ira become a sou ble, after commun ght ity everyone in Pe for rth”
at we h t e p o h I “ nue to can conti omes in re h build mo continue to Perth and e condition th improve current of our homes”
a n i g n i k wor e people e v o l I “ her w y t i care n d u n m a r m co othe its great h c a e know e another, t” a on about be part of th to
“My favou last year h rite achievement o f getting th as been seeing the t the e new hom enants e s in Muirton how happy and they were ”
What’s your favourite memories of being a tenant of Fairfield Housing Co-operative? We would love to hear your thoughts and see your pictures, you can send these to stephanie@fairfield-ha.org.uk
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
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Overall Satisfaction
Communication
Fairfield tenants continue to be satisfied with the overall service which we provide as a landlord. We are however always looking on ways to improve the services we provide and encourage tenants to provide us with feedback.
Our tenants are happy with the information which we provide them. We continue to use various communication methods to ensure we keep our tenants informed of all aspects of the business. These include newsletters, website news feed, Facebook and Twitter.
INDICATORS
94.9%
90.5%
MArch 2017
same
Quality of Housing
INDICATORS
93.1% 91.7%
MArch 2017
same SCOTTISH AVERAGE
INDICATORS
Our stock meeting the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Existing tenants satisfied with the quality of their home.
100% 94.2%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
90.3% 87.9%
MArch 2017
same
Participation We provide our tenants with various opportunities to participate in the decision making process and over the next year we will be focusing on providing opportunities for tenants to take this process further. INDICATORS
Our properties at or above the appropriate NHER (National Home Energy Rating) or SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) ratings specified in element 35 of the SHQS, as at 31 March 2015.
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
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100% 97.6%
New tenants satisfied with the standard of their home when moving in.
UP
100% 90.2%
same
1.1%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
84.1% 85.9%
MArch 2017
same SCOTTISH AVERAGE
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
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Repairs, Maintenance and Improvements INDICATORS
2.3 HOURs
DOWN 1.6
4 HOURS
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Average length of time taken to complete emergency repairs.
2.3 DAYS
6.4 DAYS
DOWN 0.8
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Average length of time taken to complete non-emergency repairs.
Estate Management INDICATORS
Tenants satisfied with the management of the neighbourhood they live in.
91.6% 88% 10
MArch 2017
same SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Percentage of anti-social behaviour cases reported in the last year which were resolved within locally agreed targets.
91.2%
UP
0.3%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
87.9%
Reactive repairs carried out completed right first time.
94.2%
DOWN 1.2%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
92.2%
Properties that require a gas safety record which had a gas safety check and record completed by the anniversary date.
99.8%
DOWN 0.2%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
Repairs appointments kept.
99.8%
92.1%
DOWN 4.3%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
95.5%
Tenants who have had repairs or maintenance carried out in the last 12 months satisfied with the repairs maintenance service.
96.4%
UP
7.4%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
92.1%
Tenancy Sustainment INDICATORS
New tenancies sustained for more than a year.
Lettable houses that became vacant in the last year.
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
93.5%
DOWN 3.9%
88.7%
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
7%
DOWN 3.2%
8.6%
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Value for Money INDICATORS
Fairfield tenants who feel that the rent for their property represents good value for money.
89.7% 83.2%
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Our Rent Increase for 2017/18 was 2.9% which was lower than the Scottish average at 3.2%.
MArch 2017
same
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
2.9% 3.2%
UP 1%
Rent and Service Charges INDICATORS
101% 99.4%
DOWN 0.5%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
0.15%
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
5.9 DAYS
DOWN 0.5%
0.7%
6.9% 5.2%
DOWN 0.7%
UP
2.3%
30.7 DAYS
Rent collected as percentage of the total rent due in the reporting year.
Percentage of rent due lost through properties being empty during the last year.
Gross rent arrears (all tenants) as at 31st March 2018 as a percentage of the rent due for 2017/2018.
Average time to re-let properties in calendar days in the last year.
SCOTTISH AVERAGE
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
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Financial Summary STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the year ended 31st March 2018 Turnover Operating expenditure Other Income Operating surplus / (deficit) Gain/(loss) on disposal of tangible fixed assets Finance Income Finance Costs Surplus / (deficit) before tax Taxation Surplus / (deficit) for the year Unrealised surplus / (deficit) on revaluation of tangable fixed assets Actuarial gain / (loss) in respect of pension schemes Total comprehensive income for the year STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION For the year ended 31st March 2018 Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Current assets Trade and other debtors Investments Cash and cash equivalents Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current assets / (liabilities) Total assests less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Provisons for liabilities - Pension provision Total net assets Capital and reserves Share capital Income and expenditure reserve
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2018 2017 £ £ 2,121,488 2,132,406 (1,701,985) (1,604,532) - 419,503 527,874 - 7,731 801 (152,494) (154,008) 274,740 374,667 - - £274,740 £374,667 - 2,000 295,000 £276,740 £669,667
2018 2017 £ £ 28,951,317 27,732,709 28,951,317 27,732,709 173,416 456,188 2,807,500 750,000 1,018,766 1,256,283 3,999,682 2,462,471 (888,176) (1,030,377) 3,111,507 1,432,094 32,062,823 28,164,803 (27,141,020) (24,519,235) (236,623) (237,170) 4,685,180 4,408,398 589 547 4,684,591 4,407,851 4,685,180 4,408,398
Landlord Profile
Average Weekly Rents
As 31st March 2018 we owned
Size of Number Fairfield Scottish % Below home owned average Scottish average
The total rent due for the year was
£1,762,308
2 apartment
96
£68.00
£73.33
-7%
3 apartment 211
£74.07
£74.94
-1%
4 apartment 153
£76.03
£81.37
-7%
5 apartment
£80.32
£90.39
-12%
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Repaying loans – 20% Day to day repairs – 12% Improvements – 16% Staff costs – 36% Providing services – 10% Maintaining your communities – 4% Other costs – 1%
FAIRFIELD HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE TENANTS REPORT 2017-18
12% % 36
% 16
4%
% 10
What we spent 2017/18
20 %
484 HOMES
Fairfield rents are all below the Scottish average.
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