8 July 2021 | 3 minutes read

Cobalt Housing has awarded three new contracts for repairs and maintenance services to its 5900 homes in North Liverpool after an extensive procurement process with the support of Rand Associates as procurement consultants.

Tenants joined a team of staff to undertake a quality evaluation process as part of the project, identifying priorities for the new service, creating customer care questions for the final interview process, and interviewing current tenants of other housing associations who receive services from the new contractors.

The repairs and maintenance contracts were split into three lots in the tender process, and Cobalt is delighted to announce that the contracts have been awarded to:

Responsive repairs and voids: HMS

Delivering responsive and emergency repairs alongside technical inspections, major works and void property works, and out of hours emergency repairs to ensure Cobalt’s portfolio of 5,900 properties are safe, fit-for-purpose and exceed current specifications.

Gas reactive and gas servicing: Sure Maintenance Ltd

Delivering gas reactive repairs and maintenance (including breakdowns and renewal of replacement parts), out of hours emergency repairs, and annual gas safety inspections to provide critical services to keep homes warm and safe.

Electrical safety: Sure Maintenance Ltd

Completing cyclical electrical safety inspections and routine electrical maintenance to all Cobalt homes, ensuring 100% compliance and all electrical aspects of Cobalt’s stock are kept in a safe and working order.

 

HMS and Sure Maintenance will be supporting Cobalt’s ambitions to provide high quality homes to its customers, and support to those who need it, and will play a key part in helping Cobalt to develop thriving communities where people are proud to live and can be their best.

The contracts will be fixed for 3 years, with the option to extend up to a maximum of 7 years.

Discussing the award, Cobalt Housing’s Director of Operations, Dave Woods, said: “This is an exciting time for Cobalt and the award of these contracts has come after a long and very detailed tender process, which was made all the more complicated by the restrictions of the pandemic. However, we are delighted to appoint HMS and Sure Maintenance as our new delivery partners and know they are as committed as we are to delivering high-quality services to our tenants and communities.”

HMS’ Maintenance Director, Alison Brown, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded this tender and begin working with Cobalt Housing to provide services that will ultimately keep their customers safe and healthy in their homes.

“Alongside the day-to-day operational activities, we are thrilled to be working with Cobalt to help inform and implement their sustainability agenda within their existing property portfolio for customers to benefit from in years to come.”

Pat Coleman, Sure Maintenance’s Managing Director, said: “Sure Maintenance are delighted to have been awarded the Gas Service and Maintenance and Electrical Safety Contract with Cobalt Housing. We look forward to working closely with Cobalt Housing and their Customers for years to come.

We are excited to work within a strong Community and look forward to developing a trusting relationship with all residents.”

Alan Rogers, Cobalt’s Chief Executive, said: “Given the experiences of the last 18 months, I am delighted that we have new contracts in place that will deliver the best possible services to tenants and that both HMS and Sure Maintenance will help us keep our homes safe and secure. This will help and support all the other work going on between Cobalt and its partners across our neighbourhoods to create the thriving places that people choose to live and want to stay.”

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