Performance-based maintenance procurement by Dutch housing associations

OTB Research institute has established a long-term research program to performance-based maintenance procurement in the technical management of housing stock. Stakeholders: housing associations, contractors and the Dutch Building Research Foundation are directly involved in this research program. Literature reviews, case studies, expert meetings and modelling of processes are part of our research methods. Dutch housing associations contract out most of their maintenance work and improvements. The outsourcing and commissioning of maintenance is becoming less of a commitment to carry out specific works according to a work program, and more of a performance-based co-operation between the client and contractors. Housing associations have developed performance-based contracts for paintwork including work to the substrates, flat roofing, lifts and central heating systems. The performance has to do with the performance of the elements during time and sometimes also to the service level, e.g. the response time and active maintenance time for breakdown service. A breakthrough of performance-based maintenance contracts is obstructed by a lack of knowledge of clients and contractors, desired flexibility in maintenance policy by clients and their desired low market prices. In many cases the contract period is restricted to maintenance work cycles of elements. Maintenance contractors want to be kept involved in the maintenance of housing complexes during a long period, for the optimal use of their knowledge.OT