North West council set to bring management of its homes back in-house

The three-month consultation last year found that 75% want homes to be owned and managed by the council, and repairs and maintenance work to be done by an external specialist contractor.

Christine Warner, cabinet member for homes and planning at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We have heard loud and clear that they would like the council, rather than an external provider, to deliver housing services for them. We’ve listened hard, and we are acting upon what they have told us.

“The council now has the opportunity to deliver a housing model going forward that brings the council closer to our residents.

“The delivery of housing services, nationally, has faced significant pressures, challenges and changes over recent years.

“However, this commitment shows that the council is embracing the challenge and is keen that this new model will benefit tenants, homeless people and others accessing housing services, with a modern, fit-for-purpose service.”

The change, which is also set to affect support services for home adaptations and homelessness, follows an increase in management fees from around £1,800 per unit per year in 2021-22, to about £2,800 per unit in 2025-26.

This decision by Cheshire West and Chester follows a similar trend at social landlords over the past 12 months.

Earlier this year, a South West housing association officially brought its repairs team back in-house. Two Rivers Housing closed its facilities management company Centigen FM and transferred staff back to the association.

The Gloucestershire-based landlord, which provides and manages 4,600 homes across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and the Forest of Dean, announced the plans in February.