Social housing providers sign up to shared standards

Tens of thousands of social housing tenants across Manchester can expect consistent levels of service from their landlords thanks to a ground-breaking agreement.

Some 23 leading registered providers of social housing across the city - who between them manage around 70,000 properties - have signed up to a set of common standards guiding how they look after neighbourhoods, working in partnership with Manchester City Council.

From helping tackle anti-social behaviour and maintaining vacant properties to trimming hedges and monitoring performance and resident satisfaction, the minimum standards are designed to ensure the ongoing improvement of neighbourhoods.

As part of the scheme 'mystery shopper' tenants will be used to help make sure registered providers are meeting their commitments.

The goal is to continually improve services by encouraging registered providers to match the standards set by the best examples.

Councillor Paul Andrews, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "This agreement is a clear sign of our commitment to ensuring that tenants receive a consistent, quality service across the city.

"Manchester's registered providers have a very influential role in our neighbourhoods and I welcome this clear demonstration of their willingness to work together with the Council and each other."

Dave Power, Chief Executive of City South Housing Trust, said: "All Registered Providers have to make clear their local service offer to tenants and the Common Standards set a baseline for a consistent service across Manchester. I know we will all work together with our tenants to develop this even further."

See the common standards and landlords' charter