Estate Inspections

Working together to keep our estates clean and safe

What are Estate Inspections?

Estate inspections are regular checks of our estates and communal areas to make sure they are clean, safe, and well-maintained.

We carry out inspections to identify any issues and take action to improve the environment for our residents.

What We Inspect

During an estate inspection, we check:

  • Communal areas (hallways, stairwells, landings)
  • External areas (gardens, pathways, car parks)
  • Bin stores and refuse areas
  • Lighting and security
  • Fencing and boundaries
  • Play areas and communal facilities
  • General cleanliness and tidiness
  • Health and safety hazards

How Often Do We Inspect?

We carry out estate inspections on a regular basis:

  • General needs estates: Every 3 months
  • Sheltered housing: Monthly
  • High-rise buildings: Monthly

We may also carry out additional inspections if issues are reported.

Grading System

We use a grading system to assess the condition of our estates:

Grade A - Excellent

Estate is very clean and well-maintained with no issues identified.

Grade B - Good

Estate is generally clean and well-maintained with only minor issues.

Grade C - Acceptable

Estate is acceptable but has some issues that need addressing.

Grade D - Poor

Estate has significant issues that require immediate attention.

Grade E - Unacceptable

Estate is in an unacceptable condition with serious issues.

What Happens After an Inspection?

After each inspection:

  1. We record our findings and grade the estate
  2. We identify any actions needed
  3. We create an action plan to address issues
  4. We share the results with residents
  5. We carry out the necessary work
  6. We follow up to check improvements have been made

Get Involved

We encourage residents to get involved in estate inspections. You can:

  • Join us on an inspection walk
  • Point out issues you've noticed
  • Suggest improvements
  • Help us understand residents' priorities

If you'd like to get involved, please contact your Housing Officer or email: admin@southwardhousing.co.uk

Inspection Results

We publish the results of our estate inspections so you can see how your estate is performing.

Results are shared through:

  • Notice boards on the estate
  • Our website
  • Resident newsletters
  • Resident meetings

Common Issues We Find

Some of the most common issues identified during inspections include:

  • Litter and rubbish
  • Bulky waste dumped in communal areas
  • Overgrown gardens and hedges
  • Graffiti and vandalism
  • Broken lighting
  • Damaged fencing
  • Dog fouling
  • Blocked drains

How You Can Help

You can help keep your estate clean and safe by:

  • Disposing of rubbish properly
  • Recycling where possible
  • Not dumping bulky waste in communal areas
  • Keeping your garden tidy
  • Reporting issues promptly
  • Respecting communal areas
  • Cleaning up after your pets
  • Reporting antisocial behaviour

Report an Issue

If you notice an issue on your estate between inspections, please report it:

Phone: 07907 631333
Email: admin@southwardhousing.co.uk
Online: Use our online reporting form

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