Streamlining Housing Associations: The Impact of Riksbyggen's BrfTempen Tool
In today's fast-paced world, efficient management of resources is paramount, especially for housing associations. Riksbyggen, a leader with 85 years of experience and over 4,000 management clients, has introduced an innovative tool called BrfTempen, designed to assess the financial wellbeing of Sweden's housing associations. This tool functions akin to a health check, providing valuable insights into an association's financial standing and identifying areas ripe for improvement.
Frank Fagerlund, a representative from Riksbyggen, outlines the common challenges faced by boards, often stemming from a lack of direction. Frequently, boards attempt to tackle numerous issues simultaneously, leading to inefficient processes. BrfTempen alleviates this problem by pinpointing areas where costs are disproportionately high, allowing boards to concentrate their efforts on the most critical challenges. For instance, it helps identify excessive energy costs or unsustainable debt levels in comparison to similar associations.
The process is straightforward; associations only need to provide a few basic details for BrfTempen. Once submitted, Riksbyggen's experts analyze the information and furnish a free report complete with graphs and statistics detailing six key financial indicators: annual fee, energy costs, interest costs, debt level, savings, and operating costs. These metrics are compared against other associations of similar size and construction to ensure meaningful insights, avoiding misleading comparisons.
Fagerlund emphasizes the significance of monitoring savings per square meter, which ideally should align with the requirements set out in the maintenance plan of the housing association. If an association's savings fall short, actionable strategies can be developed by either cutting unnecessary costs or looking for new income sources. It's crucial for boards to remember that while short-term solutions may alleviate financial pressures, a long-term strategy remains essential to prevent sudden fee hikes.
In addition to facilitating financial clarity, BrfTempen also helps boards become more efficient. A survey conducted at the end of 2024 revealed that over half of board members dedicate 1 to 4 hours weekly to association matters, while a quarter commit between 5 to 12 hours. The goal of BrfTempen is to help these boards optimize their time by highlighting well-performing areas and those requiring improvement, leading to smarter planning and execution.
Understanding the six pivotal key figures is critical for effective management. They include: 1. Energy cost (krsqm): Indicates energy expenses and suggests potential savings through investment in energy efficiency. 2. Operating costs excluding maintenance (krsqm): High operating costs may signal opportunities for savings. 3. Interest (krsqm) and Debt (krsqm): These numbers are vital for assessing financial health and negotiating better interest terms. 4. Savings (krsqm): Reflects how much is saved for future maintenance, which should match the maintenance plan. 5. Annual fee (krsqm): Compares the annual charge to other housing associations, ensuring competitiveness.
Riksbyggen itself is a significant entity in Sweden’s housing sector, overseeing the management of over 300,000 residential units across more than 4,400 associations. Its mission is to foster sustainable living environments that appeal to a wide demographic.
For more details on Riksbyggen's property management services, interested parties can find local offices across multiple cities in Sweden, ensuring comprehensive support for housing associations seeking to enhance their operational efficiency and financial health.
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