You can catch up on the full webinar on demand here.
This blog compiles the questions asked by attendees with expert answers and practical insights from Barnsbury.
A: Yes, absolutely. It makes a lot of sense to have this centralised rather than in your operations team. At Barnsbury, one person holds the pen on the master list, supported by a data governance process for any changes. A change in one area can have knock-on effects elsewhere that an operational team might not spot, making having a more holistic view crucial.
[Webinar time stamp – 52:27]
A: Barnsbury run a programme called “Staying Connected” visits where they undertake roughly 90-minute visits with every resident on a two/three-year cycle. This is part tenancy audit and part property check, where they look at damp and mould, financial inclusion, and health or support needs, then follow up with referrals to social care, or financial advice as needed. It is resource-intensive, but it has been invaluable for identifying hidden needs, building resident trust, and picking up cases like hoarding.
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A: Not where the equipment belongs to the resident. However, where Barnsbury are managing the compliance for aids and adaptations, they may apply a charge.
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A: Every 18 months to two years is a good baseline. Auditing individual compliance areas rather than everything at once is useful to avoid a perpetual audit cycle. This means having a routine for checking your different systems and management approach, as well as bringing that forward if new legislation is on the horizon.
It is important to note that internal auditors should be checking compliance with legislation, not just your own policies. Make sure the auditors are competent and qualified, have landlord and property compliance experience, and can assess the full picture, including areas like damp and mould alongside the big six areas of property compliance.
If you are looking for a comprehensive audit of your existing property compliance approach, get in touch with our team of experts who will help you identify any gaps and develop your next steps to ensure ongoing compliance.
[Webinar time stamp – 55:32]
A: Yes, you want the same outcomes regardless of who is doing the work. That means formal contracts, clear expectations, defined timescales, and escalation routes for work that is not completed in a timely manner. Treat them exactly in the same way you would internal teams.
[Webinar time stamp – 57:27]
A: The key is not treating it differently from any other compliance programme. Common issues include missing or incomplete data when demonstrating compliance, often because checks are recorded on Landlord’s Gas Safety Records (LGSRs) during gas or electrical safety checks on a five-year basis but not tracked consistently at programme level.
Organisations that are doing this well are recording the full programme against their asset data, defining which properties need smoke and CO detection and how many detectors are required, logging installation dates, and having a cyclical programme to verify detectors are installed and working.
[Webinar time stamp – 58:09]
A: Yes. Barnsbury's dashboard spreadsheet shared in the webinar is available to access for free here.
A: No, please see below extract from government guidance:
“If inspection and testing of electrical installation in the premises was carried out less than 5 years ago and the report does not require further investigative or remedial work; a new inspection and testing is not required; the landlord must supply a copy of the most recent report to the new tenant. There is no requirement to do a further inspection and testing before re-letting the premises. The same applies for checks of electrical equipment provided under the tenancy.
However, it is recommended that landlords carry out at least a visual inspection prior to a new tenancy commencing, to confirm that the premises remain electrically safe and that no damage or deterioration has occurred since the last report/record.”
If you have any questions about managing your property compliance obligations, reach out to get in touch with our team of experts who will help you navigate your responsibilities effectively.