Housing Term

Meaning

ABC

Acceptable Behaviour Contract

AD

Arrears Direct

Affordability Gap

The difference between average incomes and average housing costs. It can be related specifically to
individuals’ circumstances. There is no formal definition to define the proportion of income to be dedicated
for housing, although typically 25% of household income dedicated for housing costs is considered a
sensible and sustainable level of expenditure.

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is that provided, with subsidy, for people who are unable to resolve their housing need
in the local housing sector market because of the relationship between housing costs and incomes. It is
available at less than minimum market price and can include home ownership options and sub-market
renting.

ALMO

Arms length management organisation. One step from a council housing dept to a HA. A public body.

Annual Lettings
Plan/Local Lettings Plan

The Annual lettings plan shows the expected supply of social rented properties to let in the year - both
through new build provision and re-lets. It also sets targets for which these vacancies should be let to. The
idea is to ensure that there is a reasonable balance between lettings to new tenants and existing tenants
wishing to transfer and between dealing with urgent cases and ensuring those in the needing band have an
opportunity of being re-housed. The plan will assist in creating sustainable communities.
Local lettings plans are agreed for each new housing development taking into account the annual lettings
plan. They aim to ensure a balanced community is created by setting targets for lettings; between existing
tenants; new applicants; age groups (including the ages of children) and by controlling initial child densities
in a development. The targets will depend on the nature of the surrounding area and amenities available

Antisocial Behaviour Order (Asbo)

An injunction made by the councils or the police against any one over 10
years old causing harassment, alarm or distress to a household or
neighbourhood. Breaching the order is treated as a criminal offence and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

There are a number of standalone databases for ASB and small applications like ReAct, Pro-Wide and HPM.

Approved Development Programme (ADP)

The amount of public money available each year for housing
associations to spend on new homes. The fund is allocated by the
housing corporation to housing associations whose bids have been
successful.

Area Based Regeneration

Initiatives for reviving communities aimed at tackling all the problems in
a neighbourhood rather than one or two aspects. The idea is to address
physical, economic and social decline in the round rather than in
isolation.

Architects instructions (AI's) / Contracts Instructions

instructions issued by an architect, first verbally and then confirmed in writing to a site agent as work progresses on site and, as inevitably happens, questions arise over details and specifications

Arrears Action Codes

Arrears statuses attached to tenants in arrears.

ASB

Anti Social Behaviour

ASPR

Scottish Housing Statistical Return completed every year. Annual & Statistical Performance Return to communities Scotland

Asbestos Register

From May 2004 a register of buildings with asbestos was a legislative requirement

Asset Management Plans

See Capital Strategy

Assured Tenancy

The most common form of tenancy offered by housing associations. It allows housing associations to increase their rents to market levels if they get into financial difficulties. Sometimes referred to a a Full Rent or in Northern Ireland a De-Controlled Rent.

AST

Assured Shorthold Tenancy

Benchmarking

The analysis of selected activities and processes, and their comparison with similar analysis for other
organisations. Comparison with others, including best performers, through cost, resource and process
benchmarking will be important to show authorities what can be achieved. It can help to develop
performance indicators that are capable of comparing performance between authorities, help set
realistically challenging targets for service improvement and provide ideas on methods of improving service
delivery through comparison with the best performing organisations. See www.housemark.co.uk HouseMark is currently owned by the CIH and accountancy firm Andersen

Benchmarking Club

A number of local associations comparing practice and initiatives.

Best Value

Best Value is a duty requiring council to review all the services that they provide for local people, including
housing, and improve them by the best means available. The aim of Best Value is to bring about
continuous improvement in the cost and quality of local authorities’ services, and the aim to meet the needs
and aspirations of local people. To achieve continuous improvement, local authorities will need to assess
their services under four headings, Challenge, Compare, Consult & Compete – why, how and by whom
is a service being provided

Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI)

Performance indicators set by government that local authorities are required to submit as part of a national
set of measures. BVPI’s have to be included in best value performance plans.

Best Value Performance Plan

Local Authorities are required to produce an annual performance plan, which not only compares
performance on key services against a benchmark set by central government, but to also show the
comparative differences in cost and performance of key services with other similar authorities.

BLIP

Belongings Left in Property

Brownfield Sites

A brownfield development site is any land or premises which has previously been used or developed and is not currently fully in use, although it may be partially occupied or utilised. It may also be vacant, derelict or
contaminated. Therefore a brownfield site is not necessarily available for immediate use without
intervention.

CAPITAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME rent type

Southern Ireland Rent Type

CAPITAL LOAN & SUBSIDY SCHEME rent type

Southern Ireland Rent Type

Capital Strategy & Asset Management Plans Capital Strategy

Provides the policy framework for the operational work of asset management planning &
should –
·  show how the use of capital resources will contribute to service outcomes
·  ensure efficient and effective use of assets
·  ensure that issues relating to property and other assets are fully reflected in the Council’s financial
planning process

Asset Management

Systematic preparation of plans to maximise the use of assets in terms of
service benefits and financial return. The aim of asset management planning is to ensure that the
opportunity cost of financial resources tied up in land and buildings is minimised and that capital and
revenue expenditure is used efficiently and effectively. In terms of Housing Association property it also
seeks to ensure that the best use is made of existing stock and that issues of obsolescence are addressed.

Capital Spending

Expenditure on new construction, land, improvements to existing
property and the purchase of all other assets, such as computer
hardware, that have an expected working life of more than one year.

Care & Repair

See Home Improvement Agency

CCJ

County Court Judgement

Certificate of practical completion

a stage reached in the contract where the client can take beneficial occupation

Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH)

The professional body for people working in housing. It promotes housing and best practices.

Grades are awarded such as ACIH , FCIH etc. Inside Housing is a magazine that is provided weekly to CIH members. Other magazines like It for Housing (ITforhousing) and George Grant's Housing Technology (Housingtechnology) and Shelters Roof are also useful reading.

Choice Based Lettings (CBL)

Choice based lettings replaces a points-based allocation system with a lettings service to provide more
choice and involvement for applicants in selecting a new home. It is a much more transparent and
customer-orientated approach to the allocation of properties

CIS

Contractor Insurance Scheme. Scheme to ensure deduction of tax at source for building industry.

Clerk of Works

A person, usually with wide building experience, often resident on a site and acting on behalf of a client, in inspecting work, quality of materials etc during the course of a contract.

Community Legal
Service Partnership

The aim of the Community Legal Service Partnership is to improve access for the public to quality
information and advice and legal services through local networks of services supported by co-ordinated
funding, and based on an assessment of local needs

Community Plan

A statement of the needs and priorities of local communities that provides a basis on which local agencies
can plan new and future activities on. See also Local Strategic Partnership

Community Safety
Strategy

The Crime and Disorder Act (1998) placed a duty on local authorities to consider the effect of crime and
disorder, and to do all that it reasonably can to prevent criminal or disorderly acts. The production of a multi
agency community safety strategy seeks to identify sources and causes of crime and plan for their
reduction.

Commuted Sums

See Developers Contributions.

Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA

Introduced in December 2001, the performance of all councils will be assessed and a judgment made on the local authority’s capacity to improve. The assessments will build on existing audits and inspections and be carried out by the Audit Commission

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)

The forced purchase of land or private property by a council for a greater
public good such as a regeneration scheme. The value of the sale is
set locally by the district valuer.

Communities Scotland

Scotlands version of the Housing Corporation.

Concealed Households (‘Hidden Homeless’)

People in need of housing, who are currently sharing accommodation with another household and who
have failed to register their need through the housing register. ‘Hidden homeless’ in the UK can include
people who are living in bed and breakfasts, squats, or sleeping on friends’ sofas.

Contingencies

a sum set aside to cover the cost of any additional or unforseen work which may be encountered once the project is proceeding on site. Contingencies are also used to pay for changes which a client may request or meet extra payments which the contractor may be entitled to.

Continuous Recordings (Core)

A system for collecting information on all new housing association
lettings. It includes information on benefit dependency, rent levels, and
the ethnic origin of all new housing association tenants. Allocations from Waiting and Transfer lists

Corporate Strategy

Corporate Strategy sets out the aims and key priorities for all areas, and the
actions we propose to take to achieve them. It provides the focus for the development of service plans and
action plans for staff, the people who ultimately put it into action and the ways in which we will work with our
residents and communities to address these needs. The strategy is driven by our primary purpose – to
improve the quality of life for all local people

CP12

Gas safety certificate from annual service

CSW

Community Support worker (ie Warden)

DD

Direct Debit - A method of tenants paying rent where the payment amount can be controlled by the HA or council. Changes to the DD agreement must be notified by letter.

Debt Free Local Authority

An authority is debt-free if (a) at 31 March 2003, the authority's credit ceiling was nil or a negative amount
and (b) at 1 April 2003, the authority had no money outstanding by way of external borrowing other than
short-term borrowing or hard to redeem debt, as defined in Regulation 154 of the Local Authorities (Capital
Finance) Regulations 1997

Decent Homes Initiative

A decent home meets the following four criteria:
a - It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing
b - It is in a reasonable state of repair
c - It has reasonably modern facilities and services
d - It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

Decanting

Moving tenants from their homes while improvements are carried out.
Decanting often occurs on a large scale during major regeneration
projects, adding to pressure on the supply of affordable housing.

Developers Contributions / Commuted Sums

Planning policy guidance notes provide guidance on the use of developers’ contributions in relation to
specific aspects of development. Developers’ contributions can include the provision of affordable housing
(mixed), transportation contributions, environmental and landscape improvements, public open space (if not
provided on site), social and recreational facilities, education and health facilities, nature conservation and
biodiversity schemes.

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)

A mandatory means tested grant to enable adaptations to be carried out to allow a disabled person to
continue to live independently in their own home

District Core Group

This is the district level decision-making body with strategic overview of the implementation of the
Supporting People programme. The programme is concerned with the funding and commissioning of
housing related support services within the borough

District Inclusive Forum (DIF)

Has responsibility for assessing the need for supported housing within the Borough and prioritising bids for
new schemes or changes to existing provision. The group comprises of representatives from social
services, the health sector, and the housing authority alongside service providers. It is supported by client
specific sub-groups.

Diversifying Tenure

Changing the tenure mix in a certain area, moving away from a single tenure bias to create more mixed and balanced communities..

DIYSO

Do It Yourself Shared Ownership – This is a programme under which housing register applicants identify existing properties that they purchase on a shared ownership basis with one of our partner Registered Social Landlords (RSL)

e-GIF

e-Government Interoperability Framework

Empty Property Strategy

This strategy provides an assessment of the number of empty properties within the housing authority area
and options available for bringing them back into use, or for converting them to other uses.

EPC

Energy Performance Certificate. An EPC is an integral part of the Home Information Pack (HIP) . This is necessary for 4 bed & above properties from Aug 2007 when selling or letting a property. SAP rating needed 1st which drops the property into a number of bands A-F like a domestic appliance.

Estate Management Board (EMB)

Tenant run organisations that oversee the management of social
housing estate, but not the ownership of the estate.

Extension of time (certificate)

an extension of time to a contract period authorised by the architect for reasons of adverse weather conditions, an unusual number of variations etc. The reasons for which an extension of time may be granted are usually given in the conditions of contract.

Final certificate

a certificate stating that the works are now complete and the client is due a full and final settlement to the contractor

Fitness Standard

Generic term used for physical standards that dwellings must meet for them not to be classed as unfit for
human habitation. This includes being structurally stable, free from disrepair and dampness, adequate
provision for lighting, heating & ventilation, adequate piped supply of wholesome water, satisfactory
facilities for preparation & cooking of food, suitably located WC, bath or shower & wash hand basin with a
supply of hot & cold water for the exclusive use of the occupants and an effective system for the draining of
foul, waste & surface water.

Floating Support

Provision of support to people in their own homes rather than provided through a specialised project or
service. It is person rather than scheme specific, and usually covers low level of support such as
budgeting, advocacy or life skills

FT / FTA

Former Tenant Arrears

GAD

Gross Annual Debit - The total rent that might be charged on a property within any year.

Greenfield Sites

A greenfield development site is land that has not been previously developed and usually outside of the
existing urban edge.

HandHelds

Data collection devices from Microsurveys, Powersurvey and others

HAR10 Report

Part L3 / Part O

Health Improvement Programmes (HimP)

A multi agency strategy produced by the Health Authority to address the health and social well being of
those within its area.

HiTex Exhibition

Homebuy

Homebuy is a low cost home ownership scheme designed to help housing register applicants buy a
suitable home on the open market. It enables them to buy at 75% of the value with the remaining 25%
being an interest free loan. No rent is paid on the 25% loan. Repayment of the loan of 25% of current
value is made when the property is sold

Homechoice

Homechoice provides information on all housing association homes available for rent within a borough or council area. Advertisements for private rented housing and low cost home ownership schemes
common. To choose a property, applicants need to make themselves familiar with the scheme rules and then pick out a home that meets their needs. See Choice based lettings.

Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA)

Home Energy Conservation Act (1996) requires local authorities to establish a strategy to reduce CO2
emissions by 30% within their area over a 10-year period. This strategy is monitored alongside the
Housing Strategy and HIP process.

Home Improvement
Agency (HIA)

Provides a care and repair scheme primarily for those residents of the Borough who are elderly or disabled but also for those who would, for other reasons, have difficulty in applying for grants or other source of funding. The purpose of the scheme is to assist and advice these categories of residents on measures to assist tem to stay in their own home and raise funds for necessary works through the grant system and other private sector sources. Home Repair and Disabled Facilities Grants are particularly applicable to this B80and such grants can be administered through the Home Improvement Agency.

HOMESWAP

HOMESWAP is the UK-wide register of council, housing association and housing co-operative tenants who want to swap homes. You can check the HOMESWAP lists at  Council Civic Offices.
These are updated each month and give details of people wanting to move into your area. On registration details will be shown on the HOMESWAP lists in the area(s) applicants want to move to. HOMESWAP is a self-help scheme, and when applicants receive details of possible swap partners, it is up to them to make contact. Before swapping homes applicants must have permission from their landlord.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO)

Properties that are occupied by persons who do not form a single household and in which they share basic amenities. Residents will possess separate tenancies or licenses. They can include shared houses, bedsits and hostels.

Housing Association

See Registered Social Landlord. Not for profit organisations providing homes. Many housing associations
have also diversified into other areas including market rented housing,
student housing, social care and shared ownership. Housing
associations need to register with the housing corporation to qualify for
grants to build new homes and are therefore often given the official title
of registered social landlord (RSL).

Housing Benefit

Means-tested benefit to help tenants of housing associations, council’s and private landlords pay their rent in the UK

Housing Corporation

The Housing Corporation is responsible for investing public money in registered social landlords – and for protecting that investment and ensuring it provides decent homes and services for residents. The Housing Corporation invests in registered social landlords to provide homes that meet local needs. Through regulation it seeks to ensure that people will want, and be able, to live in these homes, now and in the future.

Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme

The Housing Corporation’s annual budget of grant –aid and other investment for Registered Social
Landlords. From October 2003 this will be incorporated within the Regional Housing Boards investment
programme.

Housing Needs Survey (HNS)

The survey provides an assessment of housing need for an area, including the extent and pattern of need.
In addition it examines both aspirations and demands for the communities and households of the Borough.
It covers all forms of tenure and considers the link between housing costs and income levels. It provides
robust information at a local level in accordance with PPG3, to guide the location of new housing provision
and support Local Plan Policies.

Housing Plus

A term used by the housing corporation to describe the activities of
housing associations that go beyond standard housing management.
Such activities include employment initiatives, regeneration schemes
and community projects.

Housing system suppliers

MIS, MIS-AMS, IBS, ANITE, CONTEXT, SX3, Academy, Orchard, SDM, CCL (SDM), Northgate, QL, Aareon, Reidmark, Capita, Civica, Comino, Saffron, Simdell, Modus, ActiveH, Homeswapper, IBS OpenSystems, Kypera, Wheatley associates, OmniLedger, ReAct, KeyStone, Scout Solutions, Xmbrace, TriSoft, HAMIS, CTX, Context, Genero etc

Housing Strategy Board (HSB)

This is a formal partnership whose aim is to produce an annual Housing Strategy that reflects the needs of
the community and for which partners are accountable for the delivery of key actions relating to their own
organisation. The board comprises of a core group of representatives from within the authority and other
relevant bodies including Social Services, Health, Housing Associations, GOSE and the Housing
Corporation.

HSM

Housing Services Manager

HSO

Housing Services Officer

IDeA (Improvement & Development Agency)

Helps councils individually and collectively to continuously improve services. It is funded partly by revenue
support grant (RSG) – an amount of money given by central government to local authorities each year -
and earned income through consultancy. The IDeA works with authorities themselves, the private sector,
not for profit organizations and other parts of the public sector.

IDeA Peer Group Review

A team of senior staff from all sectors and senior councillors visit a council and assess it against and ‘ideal’,
fully effective local authority. The team produces a report analysing strengths, best practice and areas of
concern in leadership, community and democratic engagement, and performance management.

IFS

Improvement for Sale

iN Business for Neighbourhoods

www.inbiz.org iN business for neighbourhoods was born out of necessity - the necessity to change the poor image of housing associations. This distorted perception unfairly stigmatises those who live and work in the sector. The political and socio-economic climate is ripe for the new approach that iN promotes. There are unprecedented opportunities for the sector to make genuine changes and build upon its strengths - diversity, social purpose and financial stability. The National Housing Federation recognised the need for change and seized the opportunity to initiate iN business for neighbourhoods.

Independent Housing Ombudsman

The body that deals with the complaints of housing association tenants
and some private landlords tenants. Every registered housing
association has to sign up to the scheme, which they also fund, through
annual subscriptions. Private landlords can sign up on a voluntary
basis.

Indicator Rents

A guide to what housing associations should charge if their rents are
able to be affordable for their tenants. Produced annually by the
National Housing Federation.

Inspection Memo, Tickets

Memo generated when pre/post inspection put on the system

Joint Commissioning Agreement (JCA)

This is a three way partnership between the Council, the Housing Corporation and partner Registered
Social Landlords whose broad purpose is to ensure a strategic, integrated, cost effective and Best Value
approach to the provision of affordable housing activities in the Borough and the development of
sustainable local communities. It jointly agrees our investment priorities but is not a legally binding
document being a statement of intent by the parties to it.

Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT)

formed by a number of interest groups such as RIBA, RICS, British Property Federation, Association of Consulting Engineers etc as a forum for establishing the form and content of contracts for use in the construction industry

JSA

Job Seeker's Allowance

KLOE (Key Lines of Enquiry)

Audit Commission's Housing Inspectorate methodology for inspecting housing services delivered by local authorities, ALMOs and housing associations. In total there are 13 KLOEs with sets of questions and statements around either service or judgement specific issues that provide consistent criteria for assessing and measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of housing services. Twelve of the KLOEs cover service-specific areas within housing and deal with the overall issue: 'How good is the service?' (also known as Judgment One).

Key Workers

There is no agreed standard definition of key workers and the scope of the definition varies depending on
the affordable housing scheme. The Starter Homes Initiative has a very restricted definition of a key worker
with priority categories for assistance defined as teachers, police, nurses and other essential health staff.
Within the allocation process however, proposals were accepted for the funding of other key workers
including social workers, fire fighters, occupational therapists and transport workers. ‘Key workers’
generally describe workers who provide an essential service to the community, are on modest incomes and
are unable to buy housing on the open market. Following recent research on recruitment and retention
difficulties across a range of occupations, more local authorities are now widening the definition to include
other key public and private sector occupants.

Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Authority (LSVT)

The selling off of 500 council homes or more to a housing association
following the successful ballot of the tenants involved. Under the
initiative most local authorities opt to transfer all of their council homes in
this way.
A housing authority that has transferred the ownership and management of their housing stock to another
landlord, usually a Housing Association. It may also have externalised other housing activities such as the
housing register and the homelessness function.

Large Scale Voluntary Transfer Authority (LSVT) Receipt

Money received by the borough council from the sale of its housing stock. The sale is usually made to a Housing Association or to a new ‘stand alone’ company formed by former local authority staff.

Leasehold

The right to live in a home on long-term tenancy, typically lasting for
around 100 years. Such home are usually owned by a freeholder to
whom leaseholders have to pay ground rent and service charges. If a
number of conditions are met, a leaseholder or leaseholders can buy the
freehold – a process known as enfranchisement.

Licensee

Residents of houses or hostels that are not given the full legal rights of a
tenant. Many housing association residents with care needs are
licensees.

Lifetime Homes Standard

Homes designed with features such as level
access, wider doorways etc, making it suitable for
most disabled people with little need for later
specialist adaptation.

Liquidated damages

A sum detailed in the conditions of contract which is designed to cover the financial loss a client would face in the event of late completion of a repair/maintennace/improvement contract. The sum usually stated as a weekly or occasionally daily rate is recovered from the contractor.

LA

Local Authority or council

Local Agenda 21

Every local authority has to have a local agenda 21 strategy, which is a local action plan to show how the council will work with its communities towards environmentally friendly sustainable development

Local Area Committee

Primary role is to undertake the devolved responsibilities of
a council, and to encourage greater democratic participation. These are crucial to the
delivery of the Community Plan and in helping to turn the priorities of the Local Strategic Partnership into reality.

Local Authority Social Housing Grant (LASHG)

A capital grant channelled to a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) through a local authority to subsidise the
cost of providing units of social housing. The amount of the grant was subsequently reimbursed to the
Local Authority by the Housing Corporation. The amount of the grant had to be set against credit
approvals. This scheme ended on 1 April 2003 and there are currently in place transitional arrangements
that will run until March 2005. These resources will now be allocated by the Regional Housing Board.

Local Housing Company (LHC)

A social landlord registered with the housing corporation, set up to take
over former council homes. An LHC is distinguished from a housing
association by the high proportion of tenants and councillors on its
board.

Local Information Network Connexions Service (LINCS)

A one-stop shop advice service for young people aged between 13-25 years

Local Plan (LP)

A local plan provides a detailed framework for planning policy and proposals for specific sites over a 10-
year period. Local plans fit within the strategic framework of the County Council Structure Plan and the
Regional Planning Guidance, also taking into account the general advice in Government guidance A local plan consists of a written statement and a proposals map. The written statement contains general
policies relating to the use and development of land as well as specific proposals for sites and areas. In
particular, it allocates sites to meet the requirement for housing set out in the structure plan. The proposals
map identifies precise area of land to which policies and site-specific proposals apply.

Local Plan Sites

Each Local Plan is required to identify land supply for development purposes. In the case of housing a
minimum 5 years land supply should be available. In calculating the need for land, account is taken of sites
within the urban edge and those that could be used as an extension to the urban edge. By definition these
tend to be green field sites. Within the Plan certain sites will be singled out for development purposes and
detailed briefs attached about the form that the development is to take

Local Strategic Partnership

A local strategic partnership (LSP) is a single body that brings together at a local level the different parts of
the public sector as well as the private, business, community and voluntary sectors so that different
initiatives and services support each other and work together. It is a non-statutory, non-executive
organization and operates at a level enabling strategic decisions to be taken and is close enough to
individual neighbourhoods to allow actions to be determined at community level. It should be aligned with
local authority boundaries.

Low Cost Home Ownership

Property available for people whose incomes, whilst insufficient to buy or rent on the open market, can
afford housing which has a level of subsidy to reduce cost below general market levels. Examples of low
cost home ownership include shared equity schemes and property provided by developers at an agreed
discount below full market value (e.g. at 80%). The first purchaser is the only beneficiary of the subsidy
unless sale agreements are made into fixed equity shared ownership or continually resold on the open
market at that discount via a section 106 agreement.

Major Repairs Allowance (MRA)

The main housing subsidy for local authorities, based on the cost of
maintaining council homes.

Market Renting

Properties without capital public subsidy and where the rents are theoretically determined by supply and
demand forces of the market

Move-on

This is permanent accommodation provided for
people moving out of short-stay supported housing
projects such as hostels or a group home.

National Housing Federation (NHF)

The trade body for housing associations in England. It represents
around 1,400 housing organisations, which between them own 1.7
million homes.

Neighbourhood Manger

Appointed by local authorities and housing associations to ensure that
deprived areas get their fair share of regeneration funding and that the
cash is used properly. Also have a brief to help public service providers
tailor their work to the needs of deprived communities.

Neighbourhood Warden

A uniformed, semi-official presence in the
community with the aim of improving the local
quality of life.

NHER

National Home Energy Rating. The NHER rating takes into account the local environment and the affect it has on the building's energy rating. The NHER calculates the costs of space and water heating as well as cooking, lights and appliances. This is why the NHER is more accurate than the SAP.

The NHER can only be calculated using computer software as supplied by National Energy Services (NES). It first emerged in 1983 at the Energy World Exhibition in Milton Keynes, and later on the Government used a simplified version of this model which could be calculated by hand. This became known as SAP.

The NHER was conceived as a rating with as scale of 0.0 to 10.0, with 0.0 being poor and 10.0 being excellent

Nomination Agreement

A contract under which council’s can place those in housing need into
housing association homes as they become available. In areas where
affordable housing is in short supply council’s usually have the right to
nominate all new housing association tenants.

Non Technical Arrears

Balance owed by tenants excluding housing benefit

NROSH

The National Register of Social Housing (NROSH) will be a property database containing a record of each individual unit of social housing in England. It will provide neighbourhood level information for the whole country which will be accessible by central, regional and local government and other interested parties, and reduce the burden of reporting on housing providers. nrosh@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

NTQ

Notice to Quit. Where tenants are to be forced to leave their home.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)

Government office with responsibility for local government & the regions, as well as regeneration, social
exclusion, housing and planning. (formerly the DTLR – the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions).

PAT Testing

Portable Appliance Testing. Checks made by a N.A.P.I.T authorised (trade association dedicated exclusively to inspection and testing)

Performance Indicators (PI) Report

Management Area                                      
Area Office                                         
Local Authority                                     
Housing Officer                                     
Rent Received in last 12 months                     
Rent Charged in last 12 months                       
Voids Charged in last 12 months                     
Current Arrears at end of period being run          
Former Arrears at end of period being run           
Current Arrears > Bad Debit Threshold *             
Current Arrears > Bad Debit Threshold 12 months ago *
Former Arrears 12 months ago                        
Write offs in last 12 months

Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (PPG3)

Planning Policy Guidance 3 (2000) outlines the central government planning policies in relation to
residential development. Such guidance forms the basis of guidance on the provision of housing related
matters within the local plan.

Pointed Rents

Rent values set by a number of points attached to a number of criteria (eg no of bedrooms, central heating fitted etc) all multiplied by a pence per point. Currently being replaced by target rents / rent restructuring.

Possession Order (PO)

A legal document issued by a court giving a landlord the right to evict a
tenant or leaseholder. Eviction itself is carried out by bailiffs. The process is referred to as NOSP (notice of seeking possesion)

PPG3

The planning policy guidance note three on housing, issued in 2000,
urges councils to negotiate with private developers to provide more
affordable housing in developments that mix different income groups. It
also calls for better designs and more housing on brownfield sites.

Private Sector Renewal (PSR)

A generic term used to cover different schemes in the regeneration of communities, specifically linked to
the improvement of homes and properties where there is disrepair or unfitness.

Quality Mark

The Quality Mark is part of the Community Legal Service, whose aim is to improve access for the public to
quality information and advice and legal services through local networks of services supported by cocoordinated
funding, and based on an assessment of local needs. The Quality Mark is the quality standard
that will underpin all the Community Legal Services, so that members of the public who need legal
information, advice and other help can rely on receiving a quality assured service. To be awarded the
Quality Mark and be able to display the Quality Mark logo, organisations need to demonstrate that they
meet the standard required for the type of service being delivered

QHS

Quality Housing Standard. Detailed criteria covering Opening & reception ; Telephone accessibility ; Info & documentation ; Dealing with people seeking housing ; Maintenance ; Rent payment & collection ; Complaint handling ; Estate Management (incl ASB) ; Participation ; Diversity & Equality

Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR)

A form that housing associations now have to complete electronically
outlining their performance in numerous areas of their activity. Used by
the housing corporation to regulate housing associations and provide
annual information on the sector.

Regional Housing Board

The Government’s Communities Plan set out proposals to change the way in which resources would be
allocated to fund new affordable housing developments. Rather than being allocated through the Approved
Development and Housing Investment Programmes, all investment is now to be allocated through a new
body – The Regional Housing Board. Work is currently underway by the Board to develop a Regional
Housing Strategy and investment plan.

Regional Housing
Strategy

The government stated in its ‘Communities Plan’ that housing investment would, from April 2004 onwards,
be allocated on a regional basis. Investment decisions will be based on regional priorities as articulated in
the Regional Housing Strategy.

Registered rents

Rent set by a rent officer and notified by a RR1 form to the tenant rather than a consultation letter sent to an assured tenant on tenancy / rent review

Registered Social Landlord (RSL)

This is the name for social landlords that are registered with the Housing Corporation – most are housing
associations, but there are also trusts, co-operatives and companies. Housing associations are run as
businesses but they do not trade for profit. Any surplus is ploughed back into the organisation to maintain
existing homes and to help finance new ones.

Regulatory Reform Order

Changes to the private sector renewal grants legislation come into effect on 18 July 2003 which gives local
authorities broad powers to provide a range of measures such as advice, information and loans designed to
assist home owners with the maintenance and repair of their homes. The Council has adopted a new
financial assistance policy to take account of these changes focusing on making loans available to home
owners rather than grants.

Renovation Grant

A discretionary means tested grant available,
subject to adequate funding, to home owners to
enable them to carry out large scale works to their
homes, in order to make them fit for occupation.

Rent Cards

Printed Cards for tenants to have rent payments recorded when paying at a cash office or to a collector

Rent Controls / Rent Ledger

Period controls for the rent system. Postings to financial ledgers often go to a void/rent control account.

Rent Guarantee

A formal promise given to tenants about future rent rises. Rent
guarantees are usually offered to council tenants who are being asked to
support the transfer of their homes to a housing association.

Rent Pooling

A method of projecting rental income into the future. (Base rent + parking + garden + area weighting)

Rent Registration (registered Rents)

The Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999. In Northern Ireland referred to as a Controlled Rent.

Rent Strips (Gilbert Strips)

Strips detailing balance / period rent / total collectable used by rent collectors. In a system, cash often entered in reference to origional sheet.

Retentions

an amount, usually 2.5%, 5% - 10% held back from the sum due to a contractor, for payment at a later date. The amount will be specified in the conditions of contract. Retentions are usually released on the basis of half at the issue of the certificate of practical completion, the remainder at the issue of the final certificate.

RHFS

Retirement Housing for Sale

Right To Aquire (RTA)

Like RTB but withmore restrictions (often 5+ years residency needed to buy home at a discount). Often invoked after a LSVT or ALMO formed from former LA Stock.

Right to Buy (RTB)

Some council tenants have the right to buy their home at a generous discount on the market price, under the Right to Buy scheme. The price depends on the length of time of residence and the type of tenancy.

Rent week Equivelents RWE

Number of weeks rent is equivelent to tenants arrears. (eg a tenant with rent of £50 with arrears of £200 has a RWE figure of 4

RSR

Regulatory and Statistical Return

RSM

Retirement Scheme Manager

SAP Rating

See "Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP rating)"

Section 20 Notice

A section 20 is the legal document the council serves on the leaseholders of a building, i.e. people that have bought their flat from the council originally, informing them that they intend to undertake essential refurbishment of the buildings common parts. This usually covers common parts like lifts, roofs, appearance of the building and so forth. Each property could end up with a bill of up to £20,000 or more.

Section 106 agreement

A planning obligation or agreement under the Town & Country Planning Acts where planning approval is
granted subject to a voluntary agreement between the local planning authority and the developer. It will
determine the method of achieving a quota of affordable housing on a development site.

Secure Tenancy

The standard form of tenancy given to almost all council tenants. It
gives tenants more protection against eviction than the assured tenancy
used by housing associations.

Service Level Agreements (SLA)

Agreement between organisations and/or agencies setting out how
services must be provided, what their standards will be and how
monitoring will take place.

Service User

An individual who uses, requests, applies for, or benefits from health or local authority services. They may also be referred to as client , patient or consumer. Service User ID

Sequence of trades

the order in which building trades undertake their work. Traditional sequences such as the "common arrangement" are followed where possible, but they are not always applicable in conservation work

Shared Ownership

A housing association scheme that is a cross between owning your own
home and renting it. The scheme is aimed at helping people to buy a
home who could not otherwise afford to do so. Typically occupiers pay a
subsidised rent to the housing association for half of the home and a
mortgage on the other half they own. Occupiers can purchase additional
shares up to a level determined by the particular
agreement.

Sheltered Housing

Accommodation especially designed for older people supported by a
range of communal services, such as 24 hour emergency assistance
and a warden.

SHQS

Scottish Housing Quality Standard

SMV (standard Minute Value)

An estimation of how many minutes an SOR or overall job should take. IE an SMV value of 75 for 'Replace Door Lock and Mortice' represents an estimate of One hour and a quarter.

Snagging

the term used to describe unsatisfactory work or small items of work still to be completed which are discussed/discovered during final site inspections.

Social Exclusion

Term used about people or the areas they live in that experience high crime, poor housing, high
unemployment, low incomes etc. Rather than focus on these areas individually, the government is trying to approach social exclusion as a whole. The Social Exclusion Unit does much of this work. Social Inclusion is the term used to describe the process of combating social exclusion.

Social Housing Grant

Public money allocated by the housing corporation to help housing
associations build new homes. The grant is applied for each year for
individual housing schemes and is topped with private money borrowed
by housing associations.

Social Housing Agreement (SHA)

Partner RSL’s and those with stock in the Borough are encouraged to sign up to the Social Housing
Agreement and commit to providing a service which is in keeping with the principles of delivering and
managing good quality affordable housing to meet the housing needs of Borough residents.

Social Housing Programme

A proposed enabling programme of social housing which is housing of a high standard provided to rent (or
on a shared ownership basis) at below market cost for households in need by local authorities or registered
social landlords. It operates on a basis of accepted and regulated standards of good practice in relation to
physical conditions, management, allocation, equal opportunities and accountability to tenants and other
stakeholders.

Social Rented Housing

Housing of a high standard which is provided for rent at below market cost for households in housing need
by local authorities or registered social landlords. It operates on a basis of accepted and regulated
standards of good practice in relation to physical conditions, management, allocation, equal opportunities
and accountability. The Housing Corporation sets the maximum rent levels

SO

Bank or Building society Standing Order. A popular method of tenants to pay rent. SO can be cancelled by the tenant at anytime. See DD

SOR (Schedule of Rate)

An elemental part of a repairs job costed by a contractor and generally taking a specific number of SMVs. Eg 'Replace Tap Washer'. Repair orders are composed of One or more SORs or narrative (free text lines)

SPO

Suspended Possession Order

SSM

Sheltered Scheme Manager

SST

Scottish Secure Tenancy

Starter Home Initiative (SHI)

The Starter Home Initiative (SHI) aims to help around 10,000 key workers, particularly nurses, teachers and
the police, to buy homes in urban and rural areas where high prices would otherwise prevent them from
living in or near to the communities they serve. Under the Initiative assistance such as equity loans,
interest free loans and shared ownership will be available to help with house purchase. The type of
assistance available will vary from area to area dependent on the type of scheme being offered by local
scheme managers. See also Keyworkers.

Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP rating)

This is a measure used to measure energy efficiency – the
higher the rating the greater the efficiency. The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) is the Government's recommended system for the home energy rating. The SAP energy cost rating is based on energy costs for space and water heating only. A SAP rating is required for all new build dwellings and those which are undergoing significant material alteration (such as the addition of an extension to the dwelling). Housing Associations and Councils which own stock are all required to submit average SAP figures for there regions so that Government can monitor the amount of energy used, and associated carbon emissions, from domestic dwellings in the UK.

The current version of SAP is 'SAP2001' (v9.70). It has a scale of 1 to 120. 1 being very poor, 120 being excellent. A typical SAP for an average house in England is about 45. A 'SAP2001' rating on a house built to current Part L building regulations would be closer to 80-100 or more SAP points.
SAP2005 is the latest standard. http://projects.bre.co.uk/sap2005/pdf/SAP2005.pdf

Strategic Housing Authority

Local government tasked with housing responsibilities, can be unitary, metropolitan, borough, district or
new town. It was defined in the Housing and Local Government Act 1988 and places a requirement on
local authority’s to determine the housing needs in their areas.

Sub-contractor

persons employed to undertake specialist work beyond the capacity or capabilities of the main contractor. Domestic SCs are employed directly by the main contractor. Named SCs are on lists of firms specified by the client or his architect, and thereafter approached by whoever is tendering for the work. Nominated SCs are specialist firms selected by the client or his architect, with whom the main contractor must then work.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

From time to time, the Council publishes supplementary planning guidance (SPG) to amplify the guidance
in Local Plans. The guidance can take the form of leaflets relating to specific issues or development briefs
and provide detailed guidance on particular development areas or sites and will be taken into account in the
determination of planning applications. The preparation of SPG is usually subject to public consultation.

Supported Housing

Supported Housing is accommodation where an individual receives support to enable them to live
independently in the community and is usually linked to the provision of housing for specific client groups. Catch all term for accommodation of vulnerable people with care needs.
Examples include sheltered housing for older people, homeless hostels
and accommodation for people with learning difficulties and mental
health problems.

Supporting People

New mechanism for the funding of the costs of care and support services for people living in supported or  independent accommodation. These costs are separated from those related to housing costs and funded through a separate funding stream. Usually each stream identified by an administering Authority, NI number  / Service ID as persons identifyer. An assesment is made & regular visits organised.

Sustainable Communities Plan

This sets outs the Government’s vision in regard to meeting the demand for new housing in the Country. It sets out proposals to ensure that housing needs are met within a sustainable framework and in the South East the focus is largely upon the delivery of more housing not only in the growth areas but across the whole region.

Sustainable Development

A process of planning in local authorities that integrates social, economic and environmental perspectives,
and includes significant discussion with the communities involved. The aim is to improve quality of life
without compromising the future.

Swipe Cards

Payment cards used by tenants (eg FCS / Allpay etc). Some companies can process DD and SO payments too.

Target Rents (rent Restructuring)

In 2002, the Government introduced a new policy for calculating rents, which was called rent restructuring. Until then, social housing providers, had mostly used a points-based system for determining rents for properties. Since 2002, all Local Authorities and Housing Association must establish the rent for each of their homes by using a formula based on the value of the property. The aim of the Government's policy is to ensure that, by 2012, tenants of Councils and Housing Associations all pay the same rent for comparable housing.

Technical Arrears

Balance owed by tenants including housing benefit

TI

Tenant Involvement

Trade Base Prices

Base prices for SORs. An average price for a SOR task. Usually inflated to reflect local rates.

TP

Tenant Participation

TSD

Tenancy Start Date

Variations

Changes in work authorised by the architect. Often generating Contract Instructions (CI's) if in Planned Maintenance. For response repair work commonly work up to a limit can be pre-authorised. Anything exceeding this must go to the client for authorisation.

Void

Empty Property. Void loss is the loss of potential rent due to a property being empty.

Void Action Plan

A number of actions needed to prepare a void for a new tenant. EG Change locks, clean, gas service, update Kitchen or Bathroom. These major items are known as 'capital' works or items.

Warm Front

Formerly known as HEES (Home Energy Efficiency Scheme) this is a Government funded scheme providing home insulation draughtproofing and energy advice for the elderly and people in receipt of benefit.