June 2022

Dear contact.firstname

Data Analysis Bulletin from Housemark
Welcome to your June Data Analysis Bulletin. Our data and research team is available for any queries either by phone on 024 7647 2707 or via email at data@housemark.co.uk

We want to hear from you

Following the launch of Housemark's 2022 data offer, please confirm your data submission intentions (if you have not done so already), so that we can provide you with dedicated support and guidance on the services that matter most to you. You can do this either by contacting the team at data@housemark.co.uk or by completing the 2021/22 Benchmarking Options page of our data entry portal Nexus.

Please note, you will need to submit this page before you can enter any data. If you are looking to participate in our Monthly Pulse exercise, you will need to first change the data collection year to 2022/23 and then complete and submit the options screen.

The latest Monthly Pulse report
Housemark’s Monthly Pulse report provides you with the on-time data you need to make timely and robust decisions. In these volatile times, on-time monthly data has never been more important. We've recently shared the first report for the new financial year, giving us the opportunity to track the impact of inflation and provide year-on-year comparisons with April 2021.

The top takeaways for the month include:

The cost of living crisis has profound implications for the social housing sector – for both landlords and their residents. Pressure on residents’ disposable incomes means less money for rent, higher arrears and potentially higher tenancy turnover.
Compared to April 2021, true arrears (adjusted for late benefits payments) rose by 5.4%.
After two years of lower than expected repairs volumes, we reported that completed repairs were largely back to pre-pandemic levels in March 2022. The figures for April show a reduction in activity to levels we reported in the early months of 2022 – particularly for non-emergency repairs, which are also 6% lower than comparable figures from April 2021.
In April 2022, lettings volumes dropped from 0.57% to 0.47% (equating to 5,000 fewer social lettings across the UK) and vacancy rates increased back to 0.60% - similar to the early part of 2022. We are seeing some signs of progress – compared to April 2021 vacancy rates are, on average, 9% lower.
This month, for the first time, we have published the results from Monthly Pulse in spreadsheet format – for UK-wide and key peer groups based on size, type or location.

To receive your exclusive report for May, please complete and upload your results online using our online Nexus data entry form before 15 June. We also have a Monthly Pulse data entry spreadsheet that you can complete offline before pasting directly into Nexus.

Join our new membership inclusive data masterclasses

Our new data masterclasses, included as part of Housemark's 2022 offer will provide you with the perfect opportunity to discover how data can make a difference and how you can apply the latest thinking to your organisation. These 90-minute online sessions include a blend of presentation, practical guidance, case studies, discussion, and debate.

'That golden thread – why a strong performance reporting framework matters'

In our first Housemark data masterclass, taking place on 14 July, we’ll share the principles of successful performance reporting frameworks, with some practical advice on how to improve your approach and organisational outcomes.

Housemark members can secure their places at the event here. Please note, up to two people from an organisation can attend. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Housemark Decarbonisation Research Project - join our webinar and be the first to access the latest insight

Our Research Team is working on a project to understand the social housing sector’s progress in decarbonising its homes. We’re launching the findings from the project at a webinar on 15 June 9.30am-12pm. This will include a baseline of results from the research and good practice examples from landlords who are ahead of the curve. For information and to book onto the webinar, please contact john.wickenden@housemark.co.uk.

Housing Data and Analytics Summit 2022 - booking is now open

The biggest data event dedicated to the housing sector returns on Thursday 6 October 2022 at Birmingham’s stunning Rep Theatre. Back, live and in person, registration is now open and we can’t wait to see you there!

Packed full of hot topics, expert speakers and valuable content, the Housing Data and Analytics Summit will help you to explore the value and potential data can bring to your organisation and think differently about how you use it.

Are you passionate about data maturity?

At Housemark we know that many landlords grapple with the challenge of how to use their data to drive continuous improvement. Increasingly, our members are asking us to help them understand where their gaps are and accelerate their journey to data maturity.

Based on member demand for a robust but accessible data maturity framework, specifically tailored to the social housing sector, Housemark has risen to the challenge! We are in the process of developing a framework that will enable landlords to assess their data maturity, track and compare progress.

We’re on the look out for people with a passion for data to feedback and feed into our proposed framework, either via email or by attending a one hour online workshop. By taking part you will help shape the data maturity standard for the sector and be able to apply some of the learning in your organisation too.

If you’re interested and would like to find out more, email craig.march@housemark.co.uk.

The latest from 'Ask the Sector'

'Ask the Sector' is a great opportunity for you to share best practice and knowledge with peers! This month we have a question from Steve Smith, Head of Stronger Communities, Neighbourhoods and Housing at Southampton City Council who said:

“We are looking at our heating charges in relation to the increases in electric and gas prices nationally. I'd be interested to know what others are doing in relation to increasing charges - are you passing on the whole of the increase, or only a part of it? In addition, if you are a Local Authority - how are you handling this in the HRA?”

Please send your responses to communications@housemark.co.uk. If you have a question you’d like to ask, please send it to the same email and we will feature it in a future issue of our Data Analysis Bulletin.

Data training 2022 - secure your place at our summer sessions

Our data training courses are uniquely designed for housing professionals, using real housing data, to give you the skills and confidence to make decisions that make a difference – for your customers, for your people, and for your business.

There's still time to book your place at our upcoming June/July sessions:

Excel in housing - Intermediate 21/22 June

Power BI in housing – Intermediate 5/6 July

Contact rose.buckle@housemark.co.uk for additional course dates.

Housing Ombudsman launches a new season of podcasts

The Housing Ombudsman Service has recently launched a new season of podcast episodes aimed at providing more insight on their casework and to share best practice. Previous podcasts have explored various topics such as damp and mould and disrepair claims, and the latest episode looks at the strengthened Complaint Handling Code. Find out more here. You can subscribe to receive alerts when a new episode is published here.

If you would like further information about any of the content within our Data Analysis Bulletin, please contact natalia.karska@housemark.co.uk.

Housemark Ltd. 4 Riley Court, Millburn Hill Road, University of Warwick Science Park, CV4 7HP.

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