Verifying progress on WHQS
The Welsh Government has just published research by Altair on the nature and reliability of data submitted by landlords
The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) has been at the heart of national housing policy for more than a dozen years. It has been the focus of very substantial investment. the intention has always been to achieve both an acceptable level of physical accommodation, and community benefits: economy, employment and health. One effect of this broad focus, with its associated complexities, has been an element of uncertainty in assessing whether the standard is being achieved and, just as importantly, maintained.
Philip Johnson and Judith Wayne, supported by Nicholas Willmott, recently completed a Welsh Government research project designed to probe the nature and reliability of data submitted by the largest Welsh landlords. All 47 local authority and housing association landlords responded to the survey and a representative sample attended three workshops.
The research showed clearly that there is considerable variation in how landlords interpret Welsh Government guidance. This is unsurprising given that returns involve a calculation requiring information on between 50 and 70 components and sub-components per property. And this is before considering and assessing quality-of-life factors. While it is evident that progress is being made overall, the research highlights a number of problematic topics. These include ‘acceptable fails’ and the independent verification of submitted data – whether this should be carried out externally or internally.
Recommendations include an obligation on each landlord to establish its policy on how its WHQS data is prepared. This would take account of a landlord’s individual circumstances and would greatly assist independent assessment of progress towards, and maintenance of, the standard – and provide clarity to tenants and board members. Further recommendations are concerned with objectively calculating ‘community benefits’, the necessity of comprehensive data collection, the need to agree a common understanding of ‘independent verification’, communicating WHQS information to tenants, and the monitoring of compliance once the standard has been achieved.
The research report is published at wales.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/welsh-housing-quality-standard-verification-progress-achieving-
For asset management services please contact: Judy Wayne on 02920 377 268 or email: judy.wayne@altairltd.co.ukPhilip Johnson on 07969 310170 or email: philip.johnson@altairltd.co.uk