The Rising Cost of Housing Repairs and Maintenance: Are You Spending Efficiently?

By Luke Beard · 26 February 2025

The recently published Inside Housing Repairs Tracker 2025 report reveals that Housing repairs and maintenance costs across England have reached record levels, with total expenditure reaching an unprecedented £8.8 billion in 2023-24. This marks a significant rise from previous years, driven by a combination of urgent housing quality concerns and regulatory requirements.

Several key factors are contributing to this trend, including:

• Damp and Mould Issues: Following high-profile cases such as the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, housing providers are under greater scrutiny to tackle damp and mould problems swiftly and effectively.
• Fire Safety and Compliance Repairs: The ongoing implementation of post-Grenfell fire safety measures continues to demand significant financial resources.
• New Legislative Pressures: Awaab’s Law has introduced strict timescales for hazard resolution, placing additional urgency on landlords to respond promptly to health and safety risks.
• Rising Costs Per Home: The report highlights substantial variations in spending, with Tower Hamlets Community Housing allocating £9,142.72 per home and Great Places Housing Group spending £1,972 per home.

This surge in spending raises critical questions for housing providers:

• Do you have full visibility of your repair and maintenance costs?
• Are you funding these rising costs through development budgets, stock disposals, or operational efficiencies?
• Are your repairs and maintenance services being delivered as efficiently as possible, or is there room for improvement?

Benchmarking: A Strategic Approach to Cost and Performance Management

At ARK, we understand that managing asset costs effectively is crucial to ensuring sustainable and high-quality housing provision. To support landlords in navigating these challenges, we have developed a comprehensive Asset Management Cost and Performance Database.

This powerful benchmarking tool is built on validated data and enables housing providers to compare their spending on a range of asset management work programmes against a variety of sector-wide comparators. The database includes:

• Day-to-Day Repairs and Void Costs: Providing insights into expenditure relative to stock size and operational workforce.
• Planned Component Costs and Lifecycles: Helping providers assess long-term investment needs and cost-effectiveness of component replacements.
• Financial Planning for Planned Works: Understanding the impact of planned investment decisions on annual and 30-year expenditure.
• Workforce Cost Analysis: Reviewing salaries, cost per working hour, and the effect of staff terms and conditions on service efficiency.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Measuring essential factors such as tenant satisfaction, responsiveness, and operational efficiency.

Turning Data into Action

Benchmarking is not just about comparing numbers; it is about identifying actionable insights that can drive better decision-making. Our clients use this data to:

• Spot inefficiencies and areas for cost reduction
• Set realistic performance targets based on sector norms
• Justify investment decisions to boards and stakeholders
• Enhance service delivery and improve tenant satisfaction

Beyond Benchmarking: Delivering High-Quality Repairs and Maintenance Services

In addition to benchmarking, ARK provides hands-on support to housing providers looking to refine their repairs and maintenance strategies. Our expertise covers:

• Service design and operational efficiency improvements
• Procurement and contract management
• Compliance with regulatory requirements
• Data-driven asset management planning

With repairs and maintenance costs at an all-time high, ensuring that every pound is spent wisely is more important than ever. If you would like to gain a clearer picture of your costs, explore efficiency improvements, or ensure that your repairs and maintenance services meet best practice standards, get in touch with ARK today.

By leveraging data-driven insights and strategic expertise, we can help you future-proof your housing stock while delivering high-quality homes for tenants.

Contact us to find out how we can help your organisation.