ADVICE from its residents helped a Huntingdonshire housing association choose contractors in a deal worth more than �340,000. Muir Group Housing signed a five-year deal with landscaping and grounds maintenance experts Hi-Spec Services after asking its cus

ADVICE from its residents helped a Huntingdonshire housing association choose contractors in a deal worth more than �340,000.

Muir Group Housing signed a five-year deal with landscaping and grounds maintenance experts Hi-Spec Services after asking its customers what services they expected.

Over a six-month period, Muir Group Housing asked for residents' views to outline a tender and arranged a visit to an existing Hi-Spec project to assess the company's suitability.

Ben Tranter, Muir Group Housing regional manager, said: "Very early on in the process we asked our residents what was important to them in the delivery of this service.

"Since then our residents have been very heavily involved in selecting the best contractor for Muir Group Housing and we are keen to ensure this doesn't stop now that the contract has been awarded. Residents have a key role to play in monitoring the performance of our contractors."

From April 1, Hi-Spec will provide gardening and maintenance services to Muir Group Housing's sheltered and supported housing scheme in McCartney House in Godmanchester, and its other schemes in the South.

With nearly 5,000 properties nationwide, MGH featured in the 2010 Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For, and was rated "outstanding" by Best Companies.