Social landlord Orbit has started hunting for firms to deliver a £264m repairs and maintenance deal covering thousands of homes across the Midlands, South and East of England.

The housing association is carving the work into 10 lots across two workstreams – one for day-to-day repairs and empty homes, the other for major repairs and an overflow service to step in when workload peaks or performance dips.

Two contractors will be appointed in each region, but firms can’t bag both workstreams in the same patch. Under the rules, bidders can target all lots, but a maximum of five wins is allowed.

The framework will run for five years from April 2027 with options to extend to a full seven. Work includes emergency callouts, routine repairs, regulated works, void refurbishments and damp and mould jobs under Awaab’s Law time limits.

Orbit has also built an “overflow model” into the major repairs lots, giving the landlord the flexibility to divert core trade and voids work away from the day-to-day provider if workloads spike.

Expressions of interest close on 19 November with full bids expected next year. Up to five bidders per lot will progress to the competitive flexible procedure, covering discussions, mark-ups and final tenders ahead of awards in July 2026.