Housing

Working with Housing Associations we can help deliver committed Housing Infrastructure Fund projects in line with the Housing & Regeneration Act 2008.

Homes England (formerly Homes and Communities Agency) aim to achieve high quality housing that is affordable to construct, affordable to rent and reaches out to the widest of social demographics, for generations to come. As property consultants, we value this approach and strive to ensure that our professional services focus on client care throughout.

We are able to assist with the following services:

Project Financing Options – We work closely with a preferred social housing development partner who specialises in delivering sole and mixed use regeneration schemes. Together, we are able to facilitate site finding and development financing models throughout the UK at an affordable level.
Topographical Survey Support– working with our preferred consultant we can offer state of the art digital land survey services. Assisting with flood risk mitigation; site design; planning permission applications and dispute resolution. Aerial drone survey services are also available and can be discussed based on site location, flight restrictions and the scope of your requirements.
Ecological Survey Support – working with our preferred consultant we are able to offer pre and post development site ecology surveys. This is a vital service in support of planning applications and ensuring site development does not have a detriment to local ecosystems. Survey findings can also help ensure that site design adapts to include features such as bat houses, bunds and bird boxes; a vital component towards section 2.3 of the Home Quality Mark assessment.
Housing Quality Indicator (HQI) Assistance– a bespoke review of proposed development schemes against the 10 categories of the HQI assessment. When provided with digital drawings and supporting information we are able to assist with HQI scoring in a timely manner, ensuring that submission deadlines are met.
Project Design Review– an early involvement in projects allows us to review concept stage proposals with the client, principal contractor and architect as required. The purpose to assess key factors that may affect mandatory funding criteria against client requirements; helping to ensure that technical issues do not arise further down the RIBA plan of works timeline.
Home Quality Mark (HQM) Assistance – further to the withdrawal of the Code for Sustainable Homes Scheme we can work alongside registered HQM assessors to review project specifics against the core categories, both at design and practical completion stages of the assessment process. Ensuring that HQM levels are achieved in line with those required by our clients is crucial; safeguarding any secured funding levels or planning obligations as a responsible registered social housing provider. Our Employers Agent and Clerk of Work functions also include, as standard, a constant check of committed design requirements when works progress on site.
Independent Auditor Role – when appointed as Independent Auditor we can provide a review of compliance against the Homes England Capital Funding requirements and Investment Management System (IMS).
Competitive Tender Process– our experience with a number of construction contracts and procurement routes allows us to offer a comprehensive tender process. Compiling and managing transparent and detailed tender invitations will ensure value for money can be demonstrated without compromising on quality standards. Our tender analysis and reporting can ensure contractor appointments are decided not just on cost, but also a balance between any applied value engineering and available budget allocations.
Employers Agent– offering a client representative role through a comprehensive suite of functions including contract administration, site meetings, site visits, cost progress reporting, monitoring of construction programme, executing staged technical requirements, practical completion, handover liaison, defects liability period monitoring, and review of health & safety files.
Contract Administration– where full employers agent role is not required we are able to fulfil contractual functions on behalf of our client. Administering contract appointments including management of stage or interim valuations, liquidated damages calculation, contract instructions, review of specification standards against contractor expectations, final account reporting, defect liability period management, practical completion certification & retention management.
Clerk of Works– we are able to offer an independent and impartial assessment of workmanship standards against client specification requirements. The frequency of site visits can be agreed based on the complexity or scale of the development; thereby providing a value for money service not just based on contract value. Visits and meetings are documented via site visit reports; ensuring that action items are shared throughout the project team and a record held on behalf of the client.
SAP & EPC Assessment Support– working alongside SAP assessors we can help ensure technical details such as U value calculations, thermal bridging calculations, accredited construction details, pressure test results and landmark registrations are collated ahead of practical completion. Technical elements specified at design stage SAP assessments must be adhered to; if not improved where possible. We make sure that those commitments are followed through into the construction stage, ensuring that you have compliant properties that meet or exceed Building Regulation Part L compliance. SAP outputs are also reviewed within the HQM Assessments; so keeping on top of this information and workmanship standards will help ensure retrospective remedial works are avoided.
Health & Safety Management– working with our preferred consultant we are able to assist with health & safety packages that are tailored to each project requirements. Our trusted third-party consultant offers an impartial yet collaborative working relationship between all parties; the overall aim to integrate regulation and compliance requirements without becoming onerous. Advice can be given on health and safety aspects at pre construction and post completion, ensuring that a comprehensive audit trail and document recording system is in place should this ever need to be interrogated.

Please get in touch to discuss your requirements and how we can help you.