Posted on 29 May 2024
Our team of surveyors carry out essential work for our customers - from damp and mould surveying to managing crisis situations and ensuring that customers have everything they need in an emergency.
The team work long hours – serious incidents are often out of hours. They not only work with teams across Hyde, but with partners including the emergency services and local councils.
The team is headed up by Hyde’s Head of Homes Standards, Emmanuella Edokpa, who tells us more about some recent surveyor successes:
Greenwich – Baracuta House
In April, a leak meant we had to shut off water to an entire block – 59 flats. Our surveyors not only ensured the leak was fixed but that residents still had water – arranging for water to be delivered to all flats and a temporary tap to be installed in a communal area.
Their expertise and forward planning also meant that no customers had to be temporarily moved from their homes.
Islington – Alderwick Court
Earlier this year, we received a serious incident report from the caretaker at Alderwick Court.
A leak in a flat resulted in a power outage for all the homes in the block. Our surveyors not only fixed the problem, but worked with emergency services to ensure everybody was safe. Surveyors stayed on site, including throughout the night, to provide support to customers until the problem was solved.
Two customers' homes were deemed uninhabitable due to water damage from the leak, and our surveyors then collaborated with Hyde teams to assist them in finding alternative accommodation with family and friends.
And the work didn’t end there. After the power was reinstated, we then began repairing the water-damaged homes.
Maidstone
A driver lost control when being pursued by police, and drove her car into two of our homes. Surveyors immediately went to the scene (arriving around midnight) to assess the situation and see if the homes were safe. Both homes were then evacuated, with our surveyors working with the families involved to make sure they had somewhere safe to stay.
We carried out relevant structural work and the families were finally allowed home.
Southampton
During August bank holiday 2023, we had a report of a car embedded in a block of flats. A surveyor needed to attend the scene to ensure the building was secured. However, it wasn’t possible for the car to be removed. The two affected flats were evacuated and customers offered alternative accommodation.
The damage was extensive. We notified our insurers and appointed a structural engineer who supervised the removal of the vehicle. The works have been extensive and we’re now in the final stages of completing the works to enable our customers to return to their homes.
These successes demonstrate the importance of the role our surveyors play in ensuring our customers are safe and happy in their homes.