Housing Stock Condition Survey

Every five years, North Hertfordshire District Council conducts a survey of the condition of all of the housing stock in the district to assist the Council in the development of strategies for housing in North Hertfordshire. The data is collected by the surveyors and is for statistical research and strategic purposes only. It is used by the Council to address underlying issues within the local community and economy, for example to measure energy rating levels for Home Energy Conservation Act purposes and to prepare bids for central government funding. All information is strictly confidential.

Due to the large number of dwellings in the district, currently in the region of 54,000, it is not possible to survey every house in the area. Instead a random sample of 2,000 properties representative of all housing types and building locations has been surveyed, so that an overall picture of the housing conditions in North Hertfordshire district can be obtained.

Information gained from this survey will be of considerable benefit to all residents of North Hertfordshire.

Without your help we cannot make the important changes required to improve the housing stock within the area. Therefore, a big thank you to all of the residents take took part in this survey.

Michael Howard Associates were commissioned by the Council to carry out the survey and to report on its findings. Michael Howard have substantial experience across the U.K. in, Housing Stock Condition Surveys and directly employ qualified and experienced personnel.

In summary, the main objectives of the exercise were:

• The Council is under a statutory duty to regularly review housing conditions and every five years, this is considered to be an acceptable cycle to review this type of information.
• The findings of this housing stock condition survey will enable the Council to build on the ongoing review of its housing strategies and policies and incorporate them into the wider Government agenda, for example, for providing affordable housing in areas of need or dealing with housing inequality and poor health.
• The Council is able to report progress against the reported findings of the previous house condition survey in 2002.
• The findings of the energy survey will enable the Council to review its strategy for meeting the requirements of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA).

The outcome of the survey shows general improvement in the condition of the stock i.e. good increases in SAP ratings, lower repair costs for the future, and that this improvement is above the national and regional levels that exist at this present time. However this improvement will need further capital investment (public and private) to maintain the good overall stock condition of the district.

The full 2007 Housing Stock Condition Survey report is now available report, however please note the report is a large document - 192 pages in length. The Executive summary of the full report is significantly shorter.

Housing Stock Condition Survey 2006/7 (1.76MB) (link opens in new window)

Executive Summary of Housing Stock Condition Survey 2006/7 (902KB) (link opens in new window)