Ask the Experts by Pennington Choices: Recent Episodes
Pennington Choices
Listen to our Ask the Experts podcast, where our property experts discuss latest legislation and provide key insights from within the housing sector, alongside with a range of guest speakers. Including subjects such as Building and Fire Safety, Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, Health and Safety, Property Compliance and more.
A Senior Laboratory Technician, meet Salmah, who joined Pennington Choices’ Laboratory team back in 2019. We sat down with Salmah to find out what she gets up to in a day working at Pennington Choices. We asked Salmah a series of questions about her typical workday and what she enjoys most about her role. You can read the full blog here: A Day in the Life of a Senior Laboratory Technician (pennington.org.uk)
Taken from our June webinar "New Consumer Regulation Regime: Insights and updates" where we were joined by Jessica Guandalini, Assistant Director of Regulatory Engagement at the Regulator for Social Housing.
You can watch the full webinar on-demand here: https://info.pennington.org.uk/webinar/new-consumer-regulation-regime-insights-and-updates
Join us for the second installment of our Meet The Experts series where we are joined by Survey Services Director, Gary Bampton.
Gary has been at Pennington Choices for over 23 years, and gives his insights behind what he thinks has made the business so successful, why he has stayed at the company his entire career, how he found jumping into his first managerial role, and the one piece of advice he would give to his younger self.
In this weeks episode of Ask The Experts, our Head of Fire Safety Josh Alderson breaks down what fire compartmentation is as part of our May webinar "Fire Safety: Building Height, Compartmentation, and FRAEWs" which can be watched on-demand here: Webinars | Pennington Choices
In our recent webinar: HHSRS 101, our Head of Consultancy Jordan Brown breaks down what Awaab's Law is, how it relates to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and what this means for landlords.
You can catch the full webinar here: https://info.pennington.org.uk/webinar/housing-health-and-safety-rating-system-hhsrs-101
In this episode, we delve into the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), a critical framework designed to ensure safe and healthy living conditions in England and Wales. Join us as we uncover the 29 hazards outlined within HHSRS, exploring everything from damp and mould to electrical hazards and structural instability. Learn about the fundamental principles of HHSRS and the responsibilities it places on landlords and local authorities. Whether you're a tenant, landlord, or simply interested in housing standards, this episode provides invaluable insights into safeguarding homes and promoting well-being for all.
Join us for the first episode of "Get To Know the Experts" series on Ask the Experts by Pennington Choices, where we delve into the lives and expertise of our the team behind Pennington Choices.
In this episode, we sit down with our Head of Fire Safety, who joined our team in February 2024. We explore his journey, from his early career to his current role, and how he's settling into his new role. Discover the proactive measures he and his team are taking to keep on top of developments and changes within the fire safety sector.
Uncover common misconceptions clients have about fire safety, as well as the most significant changes he has witnessed throughout his career. Plus, get an exclusive insight into our new fire compartmentation audit service ad how it differs to a full compartmentation survey.
We also delve into what qualities make for an efficient fire risk assessor, offering valuable insights for both professionals and clients. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of fire safety and the expertise behind it.
Listen to one of our building safety experts, Stewart Kerr, as he delves into myth-busting, addressing common misconceptions surrounding The Building Safety Act 2022.
Watch the full webinar now to discover best practices developed from working with organisations over the past year. Download presentation slides, access live poll results, and Q&A session here > https://info.pennington.org.uk/webinar/building-safety-act-2022-latest-legislative-updates
Join us on a special International Women's Day episode of the Ask the Experts Podcast by Pennington Choices, as we sit down with inspiring women leaders in the housing sector. Hear their stories, insights, and experiences as they share their journey and discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in the housing sector.
Listen to our building experts, Letrice and Jim, provide a recap of fire safety legislation, lessons learned, and best practices developed over the past year. Topics covered include:
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Fire Safety Act 2021
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
- Building Safety Act 2022 – Section 156
Watch the full webinar now to discover best practices developed from working with organisations over the past year. Download presentation slides, access live poll results, and Q&A session here > https://info.pennington.org.uk/webinar/fire-safety-legislation-latest-legal-obligations-and-best-practice
Tune in to our short podcast extracted from our insightful webinar, "Consumer Regulation: Are you ready to meet the revised standards?"
In this segment, our experts engage with the Regulator of Social Housing to explore the upcoming changes in consumer regulation, set to be enforced from April 2024.
Discover essential insights within the webinar such as:
- How to prepare for and stay compliant with the new consumer regulation.
- What the revised consumer standards will look like and how they will impact your organisation.
- Information on submitting Tenant Satisfaction Measures to the Regulator by summer 2024.
Watch our webinar in full with presentation slides here -> https://info.pennington.org.uk/webinar/consumer-regulation-are-you-ready-to-meet-the-revised-standards?
We’re back! November’s ‘Ask the Experts: What’s new this month’ podcast episode covers all things water hygiene and legionella. This episode highlights the key factors of Legionnaire’s disease, including where it comes from and how to keep your water safe. Discover how to determine if you need a legionella risk assessment to comply with the BS 8580 standard, how to find the most suitable risk assessor for you, and what actions to take post-risk assessment. Gain expert insight on how to manage water hygiene in commercial properties, offices, communal areas, and domestic properties within social housing.
We’d love to hear from you if you have any feedback or specific topics that you want to ask our experts to cover in next month’s instalment!
Speakers
Sarah Davies, Professional Services Director, Pennington Choices
Caitlin Stubbs, Consultant, Pennington Choices
Links discussed within podcast -
[Page 10] Legionnaires' disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems. Approved Code of Practice and guidance on regulations L8 (hse.gov.uk)
June's 'Ask the Experts: What's new this month?' podcast episode covers both May and June updates, discussing the latest building and fire safety updates in detail, as well as touching on news around consumer regulation and housing standards. From the opening of the registration portal by the BSR and a new fire safety campaign by Salix Homes, to the Housing Ombudsman's new Spotlight report on Knowledge and Information Management, this month's episode is jam-packed with expert insight into the newest industry updates. As always, if you have any feedback or specific topics you’d like us to discuss, we’d love to hear from you.
Links discussed within the podcast -
Building Safety Regulator: giving us structure and safety information (key building information) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Delivering for Tenants, April 2023 | London Councils
On this month's ‘Ask the Experts: What’s new this month?’ episode, our experts discuss the general updates and key news you need to have on your April radar, from Tenant Satisfaction Measures coming into force and the continued wait for the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, to damp and mould investigations and the government's new ‘Make Things Right’ campaign. Be sure to let us know if you have any feedback or specific topics you’d like us to cover, as always, we’d love to hear from you!
March’s episode of Ask the Experts delves deep into several key updates around building safety, new regulations, and property condition...from the new ‘Be ready’ campaign by the Building Safety Regulator and the amends to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill, right down to the updated guidance from the Scottish Housing Regulator and why the 2025 analogue phone switch off should be on your radar.
If you have any feedback or specific topics you’d like us to discuss, we’d love to hear from you. Until next time!
On this month’s episode of our monthly series, our team of experts discuss Michael Gove admitting that flawed government guidance contributed to the cladding crisis, recent regulatory changes around building and fire safety, the Housing and Health Secretaries responding to the Coroner's prevention of future deaths report around damp and mould; and an update on water hygiene guidance.
If you have any feedback or specific topics you’d like us to discuss, we’d love to hear from you. See you next month!
Kicking off our first Ask the Experts podcast of 2023, January’s episode covers the most recent updates for property condition and building safety, from the release of ONS census data to the consultation on the Higher Risk Buildings Regulations. Our experts also chat about the upcoming Tenant Satisfaction Measures and the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 coming into force very soon.
If you have any feedback or specific topics you’d like us to discuss, we’d love to hear from you. See you next month!
On this month’s episode of our monthly series, our team of experts cover the main changes you need to be aware of as we enter December. We discuss responding to the Regulator and addressing recent announcements from Michael Gove, to the closure of the Grenfell Tower public inquiry and the management of data, all whilst keeping things brief.
If you have any feedback or specific topics you’d like us to cover, please get in touch. We look forward to chatting again in the new year!
On this episode of our brand new monthly series, our team of experts share their wealth of knowledge on the Sector Risk Profile, your Annual Data Return, professional competence and regulatory judgements. We also touch on the reappointment of the Secretary of State, and what this means for you.
As always, we’re keeping it brief for your convenience. If you have anything specific you’d like us to cover next month, or wish to give us some feedback, please do get in touch. We look forward to chatting again next month!
Pennington Choices Consultant, Caitlin Stubbs, is joined by Legionella guru Paul Nolan, to bust some myths surrounding the key areas of water hygiene that are often mismanaged. From the basics of water hygiene management to the legal requirements and best practice you need to be aware of, listen on-demand for expert insights.
To find out how to improve and refine your water hygiene approach, get in touch!
Welcome to Pennington Choices' new monthly mini series – Ask the Experts: What’s new this month?
Alongside our more in-depth podcast specials, this mini series will capture key news updates and changes relating to building safety and asset management across social housing.
This month, Siobhan McCoy (Head of Consultancy) joins our host Sarah Davies (Professional Services Director) to share a wealth of knowledge. They discuss what's changing, what we need to keep our eyes out for, what people are thinking and what’s the best practice regarding updates to regulations. We're keeping it brief, so you can listen on the way to the office or on your daily walk.
For the links mentioned in the podcast, please see below.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022: guidance for landlords and tenants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Statistical data return link: - NROSH+ (regulatorofsocialhousing.org.uk)
Housing Ombudsman changes: Scheme changes improve access to Ombudsman - Housing Ombudsman (housing-ombudsman.org.uk)
HSE inspections: HSE launches campaign to combat serious aches, pains and strains in construction | HSE Media Centre
PAS documents on building safety competene: BSI publishes competence requirements for newly regulated roles to support building safety | BSI (bsigroup.com)
If there's anything specific you'd like us to cover in the future and/or if you have any feedback, please do get in touch. We look forward to chatting again next month!
Listen to our team of in-house building safety experts who discuss the practical steps housing providers and other building owners should be taking to ensure they are ready and able to comply with the requirements of the new Fire Safety Act 2021; the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, due to come into law in January 2023 and the new Building Safety Act, due to come into law in April 2023.
Speakers –
Lee Woods, Operations Director,
Jim Hutton, Head of Fire Safety,
Mike Kelly, Head of Project Management and Building Safety, and
Letrice Thomas, Senior Consultant.
Want to talk to us about your building safety needs, get in touch!
In our first episode, we talk to Lee Woods, Operation Director at Pennington Choices, Mike Kelly who recently joined the organisation as Operations Manager for Passive Fire, and Jim Hutton, Fire Safety Manager. With contributions from Head of Consultancy Siobhan McCoy, we’ll be discussing why over 40% of people find fire safety the most challenging area of compliance and what you can do to manage these difficulties to remain compliant and keep buildings and people safe.
Listen to our virtual mini masterclass event where our Senior Consultant, Siobhan McCoy alongside Head of Surveying Services, Paul Leadbitter discuss the latest developments surrounding Building Safety Cases and the 'Golden Thread'.
Listen to our virtual mini masterclass event where our Senior Consultant, Siobhan McCoy alongside Head of Surveying Services, Paul Leadbitter provide an update on both Building and Fire Safety.