Issue - meetings

The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement provided a verbal update on the Council’s Stock Condition Survey to the Board.

On the day before the meeting, Savills had carried out 2,602 property inspections in 8 weeks.

A Tenant requested that their experience of the inspection by Savills be noted. 

Having failed to attend the original appointment, the Savills officer proceeded to take many photographs.  While this would have been for items such as radiator valves and security locks, it also included the image capture of many personal possessions on windowsills and in cupboards.

If there had subsequently been a burglary, the Tenant would have been asked by the police and insurers who was likely responsible/had visited recently, and the Tenant would have had to say Savills on behalf of the Council.

The Tenant maintained the feeling of discomfort on this issue.  It was also stated the Savills officer had been middle-aged with a ‘not quire right’ attitude, and it was reiterated they had missed that original appointment.

A discussion was held on why the photographs would have been taken (to ensure Council properties were appropriately safe and up to standard – primarily the structure and exterior, but also potential hazards).  The Tenant reiterated the Savills officer had taken many irrelevant photos of items and areas of the property.

To provide context, the Head of Property (Repairs and Maintenance) stated the Stock Condition Survey would provide 132 lines of data and an Energy Performance Certificate for every property.  However, the photographs taken should have been properly explained.

Another Tenant stated they had experienced a professional and courteous inspection from their young Savills officer.  The Assistant Director of Housing Management & Enforcement added the Council had received compliments from the majority of inspections.

It was agreed the Council would review the photographs to determine if more care could have been taken to avoid the image capture of the Tenant’s personal possessions.

The other Tenants were asked, after they had received their own inspections, to notify the Council and share their experience.