Property Plus, the in-house repairs and maintenance team of Housing Plus Group which operates across Staffordshire and Shropshire, has been named a finalist in the Contractor of the Year category of the UK Housing Awards. 

The social housing sector’s biggest and most prestigious prizes are presented by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing, to showcase the very best service providers in the UK.  

Property Plus delivers repairs and maintenance services for more than 18,000 Homes Plus customers. Homes Plus is the new name for social landlords South Staffordshire Housing Association, Severnside Housing and Stafford and Rural Homes. 

The Property Plus team has been shortlisted for its willingness to go the extra mile to keep customers and staff safe, during the pandemic. 

Group Chief executive Sarah Boden said: “I am delighted that Property Plus has been shortlisted for this year’s awards. Meeting the challenges of providing services in lockdown was not easy but the team maintained essential services at all times and as soon as restrictions eased, they were ready to resume the non-urgent repairs which are so important to our customers.  

“Crucial safety checks were completed on schedule and in a period of unprecedented challenge, operatives met a demand for repairs that was down just nine per cent on the previous year.” 

Working differently was the key to success for Property Plus. 

In lockdown, Property Plus redeployed rather than furloughed colleagues, where possible. Electrical apprentices were mobilised to register 8000 fire doors and skilled tradespeople who usually install new kitchens and bathrooms turned instead to refurbishing and redecorating communal areas in apartment blocks, where they could work safely.  

Operatives also volunteered to protect vulnerable tenants by helping to clean in our retirement living communities and while care home residents were separated from their loved ones, our carpenters designed and built a Covid-safe pod so visits could take place. 

“Property Plus teams got used to new PPE and procedures to protect themselves and our customers. They were on the frontline of the pandemic, and I am very proud to see them recognised on the national stage,” said Sarah Boden. 

The winners of the UK Housing Awards 2021 will be announced at a ceremony on 25 November.