The Midlothian social landlord has released its annual Tenants Report, which updates customers on Melville’s most recent performance.

As well as kitchen, bathroom and central heating replacements, home improvement work also included external wall insulation for almost 200 hundred properties in Mayfield, on the edge of Dalkeith. This major project has now significantly enhanced the energy efficiency of more than 500 Melville properties, cutting hundreds of pounds from energy bills, as well as dramatically improving the appearance and life span of the buildings.

“The external wall insulation programme has been one of the big success stories of the last couple of years,” said Melville chairman Bob Anderson. “We are committed to tackling fuel poverty and I’m extremely pleased to see this valuable work continuing.”

Melville’s current repairs service, which started in April 2014, is another high-performing area from the past year. Customer satisfaction is up, repairs times and complaints are down and tenants have welcomed a new appointments system, reducing the time spent waiting for repairmen.

Other successes of the year include tenancy sustainment, and the work done to help vulnerable tenants remain in their homes. Last year more than nine out of every 10 (92 per cent) new tenancies lasted for more than a year thanks to the hard work of housing staff as well as Melville’s advice and support services.

“There have been many success stories in another productive year for Melville,” added Bob. “In nearly all key areas the organisation is performing extremely well. I’m particularly pleased to see how successfully the new repairs service is operating, and also high levels of tenancy sustainment. Melville staff give invaluable support to some of our most vulnerable tenants, helping them to stay in their homes and prosper in their communities. We will continue to invest in supporting tenants, and their homes, over the coming year.”