Housing maintenance provider appointed to £100m contract

Social housing maintenance provider Wates Living Space has been appointed a £100m contract by Midlands housing provider Longhurst Group.

Wates will be the group’s only contractor to deliver repairs, void refurbishments and planned maintenance works across Longhurst Group’s residential housing stock of around 16,000 homes across the Midlands, for 10 years.

Wates says the contract, which will involve working across Longhurst Group’s subsidiaries, Longhurst and Havelok Homes, Spire Homes and Friendship Care and Housing Limited, has “cemented its position as the UK’s leading social housing maintenance provider”.

The contract will require Wates to base some of its 96 newly appointed operatives across the Midlands, including in Birmingham, and import accounting and IT infrastructure from its repairs and maintenance contract with Birmingham City Council.

Wates has said it will provide training and employment opportunities for local people.

David Morgan, managing director of Wates, said Wates will make a “significant contribution” to young people’s careers in the region.

“We are currently finalising the mobilisation of our team to ensure a seamless handover from the previous incumbent, and to ensure Longhurst Group’s residents receive an outstanding service from day one.”