Circle, one of the UK's largest providers of affordable housing, has signed the first contracts to deliver its new repairs and maintenance service.

After being named as preferred bidders in May 2012, Keepmoat and United House have been formally appointed to provide responsive and planned repairs respectively in the housing group’s Southern Region. The contracts are initially for five years, with the potential to be extended for a further five.

United House will be delivering all of the planned maintenance work for Merton Priory Homes, Mole Valley Housing Association and Russet Homes. Keepmoat will be providing responsive repairs for Merton Priory Homes and Russet Homes. Circle's new in-house repairs team will deliver the responsive repairs for Mole Valley Housing Association.

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Andy Doylend, Executive Director of Operations at Circle, said: "This marks a significant step towards our new and improved repairs and maintenance service. We look forward to working with Keepmoat and United House to boost the quality of repairs provided to our customers, improve the way we measure performance across the group and provide a sector-leading service."

The appointment follows one of the largest procurement processes in the sector, after Circle announced its decision to change the way it provides repairs by procuring contracts as a group, rather than as individual housing associations.

(CD/GK)