What is a Stock Condition Survey?
A stock condition survey is about the property, not your tenancy.
It is a visual inspection of the inside and outside of your home. We use the survey information to plan any Major Improvement Works. We also assess whether there are any hazards that SCH needs to resolve.
The surveyor collects information on the key components of your home and assesses the age and condition of each component against its lifecycle. Some Key Components which are assessed within Stock Condition Survey are as follows:
- Doors
- Windows
- Roofs
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Heating systems
- Boilers
- Electrics
The surveyor will also assess whether there are any health and safety hazards in your home. This is known as a Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) survey. We will assess your home for any hazards and resolve these issues within the service timescales, depending on the seriousness of the hazard.
Why does SCH need to carry out the Stock Condition Surveys?
In accordance with the Regulator for Social Housing Consumer Standards, SCH is required to ensure its properties are good quality, well maintained, safe, and meet the standard set out in the Government’s Decent Homes Guidance.
It is important to note that the survey only relates to the property, not your tenancy.
How long will the survey take?
The survey only takes around 30 minutes to complete.
When will my home be surveyed?
We have developed a rolling five-year programme of stock condition surveys; this means that every property will usually be surveyed at least once every five years.
We will send you a letter when your property is due for survey, explaining that your property has been added to our survey list and that one of our qualified surveyors will be contacting you to make an appointment for the survey.
The surveyors will carry ID to confirm they are who they say they are. If in doubt, you should call us on 0121 717 1515 to check they are legitimate.
If you are not at home should a surveyor call, he/she will leave a calling card with contact details for you to arrange a convenient appointment.
The surveyor is only there to carry out the stock condition survey. They won’t be able to report any outstanding repairs for you. Any repairs should be reported here or by calling us on 0121 717 1515.
What if I don’t want a survey?
SCH is required to survey your property by the Regulator for Social Housing and so you do need to allow us reasonable access to the property as part of your tenancy.
We will do our best to accommodate your needs to facilitate a mutually convenient survey appointment.
Having the survey completed doesn’t necessarily mean that you must agree to all improvement works identified; some improvement programmes are optional. But properties without a survey may not be included in future Major Improvement Works.