Improving our repairs service
As your housing provider, it is our job to listen to your views and act on the feedback that you give us. We know that our repairs service is something that’s important to you, and we are working hard with our contractors to ensure we deliver a great service to you.
The technical hub was launched in October 2022 and has a team of dedicated staff who have the skills and tools to ensure we diagnose the correct repair for our customers, which has increased our first-time fix rate. They also offer valuable repairs advice to customers which has helped reduce the number of repairs raised year on year.
Customer feedback is always important to us, and the technical hub also follow-up directly with customers who have let us know they are dissatisfied. This feedback helps us diagnose and identify any issues that need resolving and prevent any reoccurring issues.
How we are improving our repairs service
First-time fix increase
Our first-time fix rate has risen to 92%
We’ve brought in new technology which has helped us ensure that contractors arrive at your home with everything they need to fix the problem first time.
Decrease in outstanding repairs
We’ve reduced the number of outstanding repairs by 65% in a year
With new processes, staff, and systems in place, we’ve been able to reduce the number of outstanding repairs – which means we can respond more quickly and effectively when new repair requests are raised.
Improved damp and mould processes
We have improved our processes for dealing with damp and mould.
This includes providing our surveyors with equipment which can better detect damp and mould at early stages, including humidity sensors and thermal imaging cameras.
Our surveyors are also carrying out more routine inspections in homes to detect early signs of damp and mould and provide support for customers as soon as possible.
We have guidance about how you can prevent damp and mould.
Repairs responsibilities
We’ve clarified repairs responsibilities
We have a new ‘repairs responsibilities’ leaflet and several 'how to videos' which provide customers with a DIY, step by step guide to making some of their own minor repairs. This has freed up time and resources for us to respond to more complicated and urgent repairs.
Technical Hub
Our technical hub is dedicated to responding to customers’ repair calls, and our telephone system helps reduce waiting and resolution times for customers and improving our overall repair communications.
A bigger team
We’ve expanded and upskilled our team
This means that our surveyors are better equipped with the skills and knowledge to carry out home inspections, so we have more up to date information.
We are increasing opportunities for training, including making training on the Housing Health and Safety Rating System compulsory for surveyors.
Through our ‘grow our own’ programme we have also introduced new surveying, customer liaison and contracts admin trainee roles so colleagues have the opportunity to progress within Accent.
Don't just take our word for it
Mrs R was concerned over the delay to grounds maintenance works on her street following a contracting issue, and contacted our technical hub.
A new contractor was swiftly instructed to carry out the outstanding ground maintenance works.
Mrs R said, “We received a great letter explaining what had happened, and promising a new contractor. Within just two days they were here and working very hard. It’s all starting to look lovely again. I appreciate the efforts all the Accent team have gone to in resolving the issue for us. I’m particularly happy with the great communication. They’ve picked up the phone, kept me updated and I feel listened to.”
Della had new doors and windows fitted throughout her property and said, “I cannot praise the company enough. So very professional, perfectionist they went above and beyond. Nothing was too much trouble. There was no damage you would not even know that they had been here.”
Kris contacted our technical hub to report an issue with his communal door and was concerned about damp and mould.
He was very happy with how Customer Advisor Marina helped him and said, “She saw it was a reoccurring issue and went above and beyond to arrange a surveyor to visit. All in all it was a fantastic interaction and lovely to see that she truly wanted to help solve the situation.”
