Refurb and maintenance

Guy Horne, co-founder and managing director of HS Property Group, answers editor Victoria Galligan's questions on empty homes in the UK…

How many homes are empty in the UK?

According to official figures by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in March 2019 there were more than 216,000 empty homes across the UK, equating to £53.6bn of property value. This represents a 5.3% increase over the last 12 months, hitting the highest level of vacant properties since 2012.

Sustainable Building Services (UK) Limited is now delivering a £2.1M scheme involving 220 occupied properties in Plas Madoc as part of Wrexham County Borough Council's Re-roofing and Group Repairs Framework

The PCA on plants such as Japanese knotweed

Matt Wilde, Site Technician for Langley Waterproofing Systems Ltd, discusses with Housing Association magazine his work both on and offsite, what he enjoys most about the role and its importance for social housing projects.

What is your role at Langley?

As site technician, I am a field-based resource available to Langley’s customers as part of our aftercare and maintenance service. Many years of on-site, hands-on installation experience enable me to conduct training sessions on the technical application of Langley products, as well as health and safety considerations.

Comar Architectural Aluminium Systems, with their approved fabricator APiC UK Ltd; recently completed a major refurbishment mixed use project for Park Regis Hotels in Birmingham. 

The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association advises housing providers on the legalities of dealing with asbestos…

What are your legal duties?

It is vital that owners and managers of properties, constructed prior to the year 2000, take the risks from asbestos seriously and deal with asbestos in a controlled and safe manner. Today it is still the greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, with currently approx. 5,000 asbestos-related cancer deaths per year.