Riksbyggen Launches BrfTempen: A Revolutionary Health Check Tool for Housing Cooperatives in Sweden
Riksbyggen, a leader in housing management with 85 years of experience and over 4,000 clients, has introduced a groundbreaking tool called BrfTempen. This innovative service acts as a health check for housing cooperatives in Sweden, providing invaluable insights into their financial status and identifying potential areas for improvement.
According to Frank Fagerlund, the product manager at Riksbyggen, BrfTempen is designed to assist board members of housing associations who often face uncertainty about where to start addressing their finances. By pinpointing which financial metrics require immediate attention, the tool helps boards prioritize their efforts efficiently. For instance, boards can discern whether their energy costs are excessively high compared to similar associations or if they are carrying a considerable amount of debt.
The BrfTempen process is user-friendly; all that is required is a few basic details about the housing association. Riksbyggen's experts will then analyze the data and produce a complimentary report that highlights six critical key figures: annual fees, energy costs, interest costs, debt levels, savings, and operating costs. This comparison is done against similar associations based on various factors such as size and year of construction, ensuring a fair and valid analysis. Frank emphasizes the importance of accurate comparisons, noting that a newly built association cannot be directly compared with one from the 1930s.
Moreover, the report provides a broader overview of the performance of housing cooperatives across Sweden managed by Riksbyggen. One of the key metrics highlighted is savings in kronor per square meter, which is essential for aligning the association's savings with required maintenance plans. Fagerlund stresses that if savings are below the necessary levels, boards should explore strategies to either cut costs or creatively enhance income sources. Adjusting the annual fee is a final option to meet the desired savings if other improvements fall short.
Long-term solutions are critical; addressing financial challenges head-on not only offers short-term relief but also mitigates the risk of sudden fee increases in the future. Time management is another crucial aspect BrfTempen addresses. A recent survey found that over half of board members spend between 1 and 4 hours a week on association duties, while a significant portion dedicates even more time. BrfTempen can help save time by clarifying which areas operate efficiently and which require more attention, allowing boards to allocate their resources more effectively.
The six essential key figures that boards should track with BrfTempen include: 1. Energy cost per square meter, highlighting energy efficiency opportunities. 2. Operating costs (excluding maintenance) per square meter, indicating potential savings. 3. Interest and debt per square meter, emphasizing areas needing financial negotiation focus. 4. Savings per square meter, essential for future maintenance commitments. 5. Annual fee per square meter, including all mandatory costs.
Riksbyggen is a nationwide cooperative and one of Sweden's largest housing developers and property managers, overseeing over 100,000 rental apartments and 200,000 condominiums across more than 4,400 housing cooperatives. With such a wealth of experience and expertise, Riksbyggen continues to innovate in ways that support sustainable and attractive housing solutions for all.
For associations looking to understand their financial health better and improve their management processes, utilizing the BrfTempen tool is an immediate step towards clarity and enhancement in their operations.
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