Find out more about our home improvement programme

You can check when you might possibly be having major works carried out on your home such as a new kitchen or bathroom on our Planned Improvement page.

Information is available from the Decent Homes page on the standards we aim to achieve against the Government's minimum standard.

What happens if I am having work done on my home?
Having any kind of improvement work done to your home is bound to be stressful, and we can't deny that having a new kitchen or bathroom, central heating or rewire, roof covering or doors, will not be easy for you.
We have put this guide together to help you cope with having improvement work carried out in your home.

Who do I talk to?
When you are notified you are in the improvement programme, you will receive a letter with a contact name and telephone number; you will also receive an information sheet about the work about to be undertaken - copies of these can be found using the links on the right hand side of the page.

The person named as the contact works for us and is your point of call for any concerns or questions you may have relating to the work.

Packing away before work starts
We will ask you to empty cupboards or shelves prior to work starting, if you're having a kitchen or bathroom fitted so now is an ideal time for a good clear out. You may want to move your fridge/freezer into another room.
We will sometimes need access to your loft for rewiring or asbestos testing for example, so if you could ensure you loft is reasonably clear and tidy.

Covering thing up
Our contractors will use dustsheets but if you feel they haven't adequately covered your carpet please let them know. If you have any dustsheets of your own it is also a good idea to cover, for example, your lounge suite and TV – as dust goes a very long way!

We have a code of conduct which we issue to all our staff who will be working in your home.

Safety when work is in progress
Please be careful at home whilst the work is being undertaken. It's really important that your children understand that they mustn't play with tools, building materials, on scaffolding or in skips.
We'll do all we can to keep you and your family safe whilst the work is going on but parents have responsibilities too. Likewise please make any suitable arrangements if you have any pets.

Managing without kitchen or bathroom
If you are having a kitchen or bathroom fitted, you are going to be limited for some of the time whilst the work is in progress, so if you can, plan ahead. For example, to make managing without a kitchen for a while easier think about preparing some meals in advance of the work which can be easily re-heated, or eaten cold. We will try and reconnect temporary cooking facilities at the end of the day, wherever possible.

We try to make sure that you are not left without washing or toilet facilities overnight, however on rare occasions this is unavoidable. In such cases, temporary facilities will be provided. Usually we can replace the bathroom fittings on the same day but there will be some inconvenience. You may wish to arrange with a neighbour or relative to use their facilities for the short period when the fittings are swapped, just in case.

What happens if I am not happy?
If you are not happy about the work or standard of workmanship, please call the contact name on your letter or ask for the Asset Management Team on 01952 217100.  We will be happy to help.

If you have lost the letter, below are the Managers for the different work areas: -
Kitchens- Jill Bennett
Cyclical painting- Dale Heaton
Roof/Windows/External repairs- Martin Holt
Gas Servicing/Replacement-  Fleur Whittingham
Asbestos testing and removal- Jason Scott
Bathrooms/Rewire and electrical testing- Nick Pike