© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
A decade ago, new developments were usually sold to owner-occupiers, making their management more straightforward because all residents had an important personal stake in keeping the common parts clean, tidy, and well maintained.
The advent of buy to let, in the wake of the pensions crisis and the introduction of tailored mortgage products, has changed all that. What has also changed is the integration of affordable social housing within new schemes where provision of up to 50 per cent of all new homes on some sites can be required as part of a developer’s ‘106 planning contributions’.
Management of larger schemes is, consequently, becoming more challenging, with the different mix of tenure: owner-occupiers, private rented tenants, social housing residents, and commercial occupiers.
Coupled with planning requirements, this often means there are issues such as limited parking and travel plans, as well as the considerations of dealing with waste removal, both commercial and domestic, and the myriad health and safety legislation.
A decade ago, ‘sustainability’ and all that goes with it was just coming onto the agenda, bringing the way we deal with so many new issues in its wake. Recycling waste is one of today’s biggest problems, with fortnightly collections in some areas potentially creating health hazards if not properly managed, and some local authorities are now considering penalties!
Regular policing
On these mixed sites, educating residents is the key to effective use, for example, of the large shared bins for blocks of flats, ensuring they fully understand the methodology! Regular policing also reduces the potential for bin stores to become clogged up with all types of debris, from bits of cars and redundant white goods, to broken furniture. Local authorities usually provide a removal service for such items, enabling individuals to take responsibility for their safe disposal.
On some sites vandalism can be a problem, with lights broken, and ‘tagging’ on any plain surface. Inevitably, bad and inconsiderate behaviour is the preserve of the small minority, but the effect on the majority can be misery if not handled firmly and sensitively.
Presenting a united front – made easier now that many housing associations are turning to professional management companies to manage their social housing (although not the letting) – is a big advantage.
CCTV, uniformed security and concierge services also help, as does identifying bad behaviour and acting swiftly to deal with culprits. Rapid response to remove rubbish and graffiti, keeping sites litter-free, replacing broken lights and monitoring car-parking abuse ensure that residents grow to respect the ‘no tolerance’ strategy. Strong residents’ associations self-police, and organise events for welcome social interaction.
For owner occupiers to retreat behind gated entrances, as is happening in some locations, especially in big cities, would defeat the object of social integration. We can all learn from each other, and developing a real sense of community on mixed sites – creating a sense of pride and place is the key to success.
Given the right encouragement and support, communities self-police, setting their own standards of acceptable behaviour. If this doesn’t work, then troublesome people have to be removed, for the benefit of the majority.