Initially, Back on the Map purchased 62 houses in Hendon (between 2008-2011) and in 2011 we entered into a management agreement with local housing provider Gentoo. The agreement included property advertising, tenant vetting, property maintenance/repairs and rent collection and this partnership was beneficial in ensuring local housing standards were raised. In 2013 we brought the management in-house; a step geared toward proactive property and tenant management to achieve financial stability and establish Back on the Map as an exemplar private landlord.  During this period we completed a programme of major property improvements, established robust housing management policies and procedures and reduced outgoings.

Since then, Back on the Map has bought and refurbished more empty and/or run-down local properties in order to improve the housing stock and provide good quality accommodation to local people and now has a portfolio of 82 homes, which will soon grow to 100.  All properties are refurbished to a high standard, meeting and exceeding the Decent Homes Standards. These homes are then let responsibly to carefully vetted families. This creates better quality housing for residents, increase neighbourliness, reduces anti-social behaviour (ASB) and builds a sense of local control. In parallel to this, we champion community voices and work with residents, the Police and Council to develop neighbourhood action plans and resident campaigns to combat ASB, appeal against Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s), deal with graffiti, litter & fly-tipping. To date, we have been successful in dealing with some extreme cases of ASB, intimidation and harassment.