Disrepair Improvement Group
We are delighted to be relaunching the Disrepair Improvement Group, with four sessions scheduled to take place. The group will be chaired by Tristan Hemsley, a recognised specialist in HHSRS, damp and mould, Awaab’s Law and building safety. Tristan previously delivered a keynote session on Awaab’s Law at one of our most well-attended AMIP events in March 2026, where his insight into emerging regulatory expectations and practical implications for the sector was extremely well received.
The Disrepair Improvement Group originally began in early 2022, when Echelon Improvement Partnerships (EIP) partnered with The Riverside Group to bring together housing providers and sector experts to address one of the most persistent challenges in social housing. The aim was to explore more effective, collaborative approaches to disrepair, improving outcomes for residents while ensuring that resources were directed towards the improvement of homes rather than being absorbed by administration, legal costs and compensation.
Over its course, the group became a forum for shared learning, prevention-focused thinking, and practical discussion around the management and remediation of disrepair. A series of masterclasses and workshops supported this work, led by sector specialists including Geoff Hunt, Chartered Building Surveyor and Building Pathologist, alongside legal experts from Devonshires LLP. Contributions from organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Housing, the Housing Ombudsman Service and the National Housing Federation helped to deepen insight and strengthen cross-sector collaboration.
Building on this foundation, the programme later expanded into a dedicated exploration of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). In January 2025, EIP, together with The Riverside Group and Devonshires LLP, facilitated a three-part ADR Working Group focused on developing more collaborative approaches to resolving disputes, reducing conflict and improving trust between residents and housing providers. Following the conclusion of these sessions, attention turned to shaping a more consistent, sector-wide approach to support housing providers in adopting and embedding ADR principles in practice.
The next virtual sessions are due to take place on:
Disrepair Improvement Group – 14 May 2026
Disrepair Improvement Group – 15 Sept 2026
Practical Support
EIP also worked with a Chartered Building Surveyor to develop practical guidance on managing condensation and mould in the home. This includes a guide to support housing providers in engaging effectively with residents, a short video offering clear and accessible tips for tenants (see below) as well as a flyer summarising the key messages.
