Estate Inspection Policy

1.1  The Estate Inspection Policy outlines Calico’s approach to inspecting open spaces owned by Calico in neighbourhoods, resulting in Calico Homes customers and future customers have an understanding of our offer.

1.2 Calico is committed to delivering high quality services in our open and communal spaces.

1.3  This policy applies to all customers who live in neighbourhoods where Calico own and are responsible for open spaces.

The aim of the policy is to demonstrate how we will inspect neighbourhoods ensuring compliance with ongoing legal and regulatory requirements and proactively prevent and defend public liability claims.

The policy supports delivery of the Calico Homes vision and strategic objectives as set out below.

The Calico Homes Vision

“Going one step further with customers and local communities to provide affordable, safe and quality homes and personalised services; supporting customers to live their best lives in challenging times.”

The Calico Homes objectives:

• To provide safe and well-maintained homes through investment in existing and new properties.
• To support customers to sustain tenancies.
• To provide good quality and personalised repairs, customer and neighbourhood services.
• To develop trusting relationships and to empower customers and communities to take the lead on the things that matter most.
• To strengthen the business so it is strong, well-governed, environmentally friendly and provides value for money customers.
• To create a place where people want to work now and in the future.

5.1    Calico will inspect neighbourhoods to ensure that we maintain high standards in common areas such as stairs, entrances, grassed areas and car parks and ensure that Health and Safety obligations are met.

5.2    We will ensure that common areas are regularly inspected by Calico employees and, that visits are documented, and any arising issues are dealt with effectively.

5.3    Calico are committed to ensuring that repairs to common areas reported are prioritised correctly and carried out within target and to a high standard.

5.4    Inspections will identify vandalism and damage.

5.5    We will provide a service which has a positive impact on customer satisfaction with environment and local community.

5.6    Calico will encourage customer involvement in maintaining the common areas of their homes to a good standard.

5.7    Ensure effective liaison with appropriate agencies such as Local Authority or Police in relation to environment issues such as street lighting, refuse collection, vandalism or abandoned vehicles.

7.1    It is our policy to ensure that discretion is used in cases of identified vulnerabilities such as disability, frailty, domestic abuse, concern for welfare or any other identified need. Calico will use information provided by customers and held in our systems to assist in identifying responsibilities. We will also ask customers and applicants if there are any issues that need to be considered to help us make appropriate decisions when conducting estate inspections.

7.2    In cases where abuse is identified or suspected at the point of identification, a safeguarding notification will be made.

• Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023
• Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
• Housing Act 2004
• Health and Safety at Work act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (as amended)
• Equality Act 2010