Leasehold Grounds Maintenance Survey Results

Consultation closed - thank you for your responses.

The results of the survey and our commitments can be found in the 'News feed' on this page.

Consultation closed - thank you for your responses.

The results of the survey and our commitments can be found in the 'News feed' on this page.

  • Results and Our Commitments

    Customer insight helps shape our service delivery

    Based on feedback from our leasehold customers who live on our retirement schemes, we carried out a survey to gather insight on the current grounds maintenance service.

    We’d like to thank the 447 customers who completed the survey, which represents a 30 percent response rate. In January, colleagues from the Homeownership, Estate Services, Procurement and Customer Engagement teams met with 13 members of various Residents’ Associations and presented the survey results and discussed residents’ views so they could help shape the next steps of improving service delivery.

    Many customers were happy with the detailed specification and the Section 20 and Procurement exercise. However, they felt that the current contractor is failing to meet the basic requirements of the contract. We’ve made a commitment to increase accountability and supervision of the contract to ensure the basic requirements of the contract are met.

    Our commitments

    • Improve grass cutting by ensuring first and last cut of the growing period is a cut-and-collect service.
    • Maintain shrubs, and hedges in line with the specification.
    • Prioritise debris and leaf collection at the beginning of the site visit.
    • Increase supervision and accountability.

    Response rate:

    Results

    Question 1.

    How satisfied are you with the current grounds maintenance service?

    Results:

    • 4 percent of customers who responded are satisfied or very satisfied with the grounds maintenance service.
    • 87 percent of customers who responded are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the grounds maintenance service.
    • 4 percent of customers didn’t answer this question.


    Question 2.

    What specific aspects of the current service do you find most satisfactory?

    • The table shows the number of times the option was selected.
    • Customers could select all aspects that apply.


    Question 3.

    What specific aspects of the current service do you find most unsatisfactory?

    • The table shows the number of times the option was selected.
    • Customers could select all aspects that apply.
    • A total of 21 customers chose not to respond to this question.

    Section 2: Enhanced service preferences


    Question 4.

    If we were to offer an enhanced service with the current contractor for an additional charge, which of the following would you most like to see?

    • The table shows the number of times the option was selected.
    • Customers could select all aspects that apply.
    • A total of 162 respondents chose not to respond to this question.

    Customers had the option to leave an “Other” enhancement.

    Below is a breakdown of the most common themes mentioned in the "Other" responses:

    Category

    Number of Mentions

    Expectation to fulfil the current contract

    55

    Dissatisfaction with current contractor

    50

    Infrequency of visits and insufficient time spent

    44

    Refusal to pay additional charges

    40

    Call for basic maintenance standards

    36

    Request to return to previous contractors

    25

    Specific service improvements (grass collection, weeding, pruning)

    22

    Poor supervision and lack of accountability

    15

    Equipment and staff issues

    12

    Safety concerns (overgrown trees, moss on paths)

    10


    Question 5.

    How much more would you be willing to pay per month for an enhanced service?

    • The table shows the number of times the option was selected.

    When asked if there was another amount customers would pay for an enhanced service:

    • Two customers opted for £20.
    • Two customers want to pay what they did previously.
    • Four customers suggested a refund or reduction should be issued.
    • Two customers were willing to pay more but didn’t say how much.

    Section 3: Specific suggestions

    Question 6.

    Are there any areas or specific improvements that you feel are currently being overlooked?

    Category

    Number of Mentions

    Grass cutting and waste collection

    82

    Shrub, hedge and tree maintenance

    75

    General neglect and decline in standards

    73

    Infrequent visits and rushed jobs

    67

    Debris and leaf collection

    59

    Lack of supervision/monitoring

    45

    Safety concerns (moss, trip hazards)

    43

    Poor contractor performance

    38

    Overpriced for current service

    24

    Weed and moss control

    23

    Calls for previous contractor to return

    20

    Equipment and training issues

    19

    Car park areas neglected

    12


    Question 7.

    Do you have any other comments or suggestions about the grounds maintenance service?

    Category

    Number of Mentions

    Call for a return to previous contractors

    50

    Poor contractor performance

    47

    Service not matching contract

    42

    Decline in overall standards

    40

    Desire for regular visits/communication

    37

    Lack of professionalism

    30

    Infrequent visits and time on site

    28

    Grass cutting and edging

    24

    Neglect of shrubs, hedges and trees

    22

    General neglect of hardstanding areas

    15

    Calls for simpler, lower-maintenance grounds

    10

    Overpriced for current service

    9

    Suggestion for monitoring improvements

    7

Page last updated: 03 Feb 2025, 11:07 AM