Reference: FOI-585515234
Date of request: 09/02/2024
Title of request: Housing Information

Dear Rich Davids,

Thank you for your Freedom of Information Request.

I can confirm that this will be reviewed and allocated to the appropriate
service area for response.

You will receive a further acknowledgement once your request has been
allocated.

Kind regards
Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council...working for you

[1]www.sandwell.gov.uk

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For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go to
[5]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/
2. https://www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil
3. https://twitter.com/sandwellcouncil
5. http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell

Reference: FOI-585515234
Date of request: 09/02/2024
Title of request: Housing Information
Information request:

1. How many voids did you have in 2021, 2022, 2023 2. What was the average
turnaround time to make a void house usable for a new tenant?

3. How many customers were on the waiting list for a house for
201,2022,2023?

4. What is the average wait time for a customer to get a house?

5. Do you have internal teams that service houses?

6. If so what is the size of that team?

7. What systems are used to roster, schedule jobs?

8. Do engineers have a mobile app for working? if so who provides this?

Yours faithfully,

Rich Davids

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Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #1083586 email]

Dear Rich Davids,

Re: your request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000

Case reference: FOI-585515234

Date created: 09.02.24

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Disclosure Details

Disclosure title: Housing Information

Disclosure entry:

Thank you for your request for information relating to Voids and Lettings

 Taking each of you questions in turn:

1. How many voids did you have in 2021, 2022, 2023

Please see attached Excel spreadsheet

2. What was the average turnaround time to make a void house usable for a
new tenant?

Please see attached Excel spreadsheet

3. How many customers were on the waiting list for a house for
2021,2022,2023?

The amount of applicants on Sandwell Council’s housing register (as at end
of financial year as not specified in the question ) .

2021  -            10,102

2022  -           11,467

2023 -            12, 683 

4. What is the average wait time for a customer to get a house?

The below is in relation to the average wait time for applicants who
secured a property in 2023 . Whilst the below displays the ‘average’ for a
customer to get the respective property type,  it is important to note
that this is across all bandings ( 1-5) as there has been no request for a
breakdown of this ( the bandings). In essence individuals with a higher
banding may add to shortening the average wait time, similarly properties
such as a flats will have a lower wait time. In addition to this any
applications that were ‘purpose’ created  - for example direct offers
under homelessness duty or instances of specific provisions such as extra
care schemes this will also affect the average.  In addition to this, if
we have a small amount of properties ( end terraced for example)  and only
3 became available  – this will result in an artificially low wait time.

Property Type Years Months
Bungalow Detached 3 5.3
Flat 1 2.5
House Detached 2 9.3
House End Terraced 1 6.7
House End Terraced Parlour 1 9.2
House Mid Terraced 1 10.8
House Mid Terraced Parlour 1 1.8
House Semi Detached 2 2.9
House Semi Detached Parlour 2 1.8
Maisonette 0 7.4
Town House End Parlour 3 3.5
Town House End Terraced 5 8.1
Town House Mid Parlour 2 2.1
Town House Mid Terraced 0 11.8

5. Do you have internal teams that service houses?

Yes

6. If so what is the size of that team?

28 Operatives

7. What systems are used to roster, schedule jobs?

Job Manager

8. Do engineers have a mobile app for working? if so who provides this?

Yes, Job Manager

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within 40 working days of the date of receipt of the response to
your request, and should be addressed to:

Information Management Unit
Sandwell Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE

 Email – [Sandwell Council request email]

 If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

Kind regards
Sandwell Council

Sandwell Council...working for you

[1]www.sandwell.gov.uk

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

[2]Facebook    [3]Twitter   [4]YouTube

For your information residents can now use their MySandwell account to log
many Sandwell Council requests online, including reporting missed
collections; fly tipping and pot holes. Residents can also check their
council tax balance on MyAccounts and find "MyNearest" on their
personalised homepage. For information please go to
[5]www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/
2. https://www.facebook.com/sandwellcouncil
3. https://twitter.com/sandwellcouncil
5. http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/mysandwell