New Contractors Appointed for £3 Billion Birmingham Housing Repairs Programme

Birmingham's Council Homes to Benefit from New Repairs Programme

Three major contractors have been selected to undertake a significant 10-year, £3 billion housing repairs and maintenance programme across Birmingham, covering the city's 60,000 council-owned properties.

Equans, Wates, and Mears are set to replace Fortem (owned by Willmott Dixon), who have been responsible for these services for the past 18 years. The new agreements are scheduled to commence in July 2026, with the possibility of a further five-year extension.

The extensive programme will encompass day-to-day repairs, scheduled maintenance such as kitchen and bathroom upgrades, and the refurbishment of vacant council houses. It is understood to be one of the largest housing maintenance schemes managed by a local authority in the UK.

Geographical Breakdown of Responsibilities

The work will be divided geographically across Birmingham, with each contractor responsible for specific areas:

• Equans will oversee approximately 17,000 homes in east Birmingham.
• Wates will manage the north and south areas, representing the largest portion of the contract, valued at up to £1.75 billion.
• Mears will be in charge of 11,500 homes in central and west Birmingham, a contract worth an estimated £450 million.

Tenant Input Shapes New Service

It was reported that the procurement process was heavily influenced by feedback from council tenants, who played a vital role in defining their expectations for the new service. The contracts include a fully digitised repairs process, which is intended to enhance communication and improve tenant satisfaction.

Housing repairs have been a long-standing concern for many Birmingham tenants. The new framework is designed to deliver a more responsive and tenant-focused service. These contracts also support the council's £200 million annual housing investment programme.

Addressing Housing Challenges

The announcement comes as the council works to tackle persistent issues within its housing stock, including problems related to damp, mould, and ageing infrastructure.