A new in-house repair team has been set up to look after nearly 400 rented pensioners’ homes - and make sure tenants are safe and well.

The not-for-profit organisation Hornsey Community Housing Trust, which was set up in 1934 to provide housing for older people, has introduced a new ‘hub’ system that ensures all its properties are part of a maintenance network where repairs can be sorted immediately.

“This is an important part of our partnership with Haringey Council to improve housing conditions,” the trust's chief executive Euan Barr explained.

“We are raising standards in looking after our tenants’ day-to-day repair issues with familiar staff who they can trust.”

The repairs service has two new fully kitted-out vans operated by experienced repair workers.

It was formally launched this week by Haringey Council’s cabinet member for housing and private renters, Cllr Sarah Williams.

The hubs were set up to make sure that maintenance staff are familiar with the trust properties to react quickly to any calls for repairs — and to help keep an eye on the elderly tenants by “reporting other issues of vulnerability”.