Some Contract Holders may be unable to manage their accommodation to the expected and required standard. Neighbours, relatives, friends or agencies may raise concerns with the condition of a person’s property and BA officers visiting Contract Holder’s homes have a duty to refer any concerns regarding maintenance of property to the Community Housing team.
It is important to work sensitively with anyone whose home is in poor condition especially those that have a hoarding disorder, as they are often likely to have a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder or a learning disability. It is also important to consider life events that can trigger the inability to maintain a property, such as of a result of bereavement, divorce, redundancy or substance misuse
A home visit must be made to the Contract Holder to assess the validity of the concern and to consider any potential support needs.
Questions to ask:
- Is there a fire risk at the property? E.g. items blocking the entrance or exit
- What sort of items are at the property and how many items are there?
- Have you seen or been inside the property?
- Has there been any changes to their circumstances recently?
Create a TMI and assign to the relevant CHO.