From July 2026, Equans, Wates and Mears will take over day-to-day repairs, planned maintenance and improvement works across around 60,000 council homes in Birmingham.
The new 10-year housing maintenance framework, split across four city regions, could be worth up to £3bn, with an option to extend for a further five years.
Birmingham housing maintenance framework (10 years)
- East – Equans (previously Equans) – £619m
- North – Wates (previously Equans) – £451m
- South – Wates (previously Fortem) – £1.3bn
- West Central – Mears (previously Equans) – £607m
Under the new arrangements, Equans has retained just one of the three lots it previously held, while Wates emerges as the biggest winner after securing two contracts together worth up to £1.75bn over the life of the framework.
Willmott Dixon-owned Fortem, which has delivered housing maintenance in South Birmingham for 18 years, will see its long-standing role come to an end this summer.
The contracts cover responsive repairs, kitchen and bathroom replacements, wider planned maintenance programmes and the refurbishment of empty homes ready for new tenants.
Birmingham City Council said the revised delivery model follows extensive tenant feedback and aims to provide a more flexible, responsive and modern service. A digitised repairs journey will be introduced citywide, offering residents clearer communication on planned works, timescales and changes, as well as greater flexibility to rearrange appointments.
New systems will also be used to monitor the condition of homes and support upgrades designed to improve energy efficiency, helping properties become warmer and cheaper to heat.
Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the new contracts would reset how repairs and maintenance are managed, with tenants benefiting from improved communication, more responsive services and continued investment in kitchens, bathrooms and energy-efficiency improvements.