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Improving Homes
What is the Decent Homes Standard and what does it mean to you?
In 1997 the Government challenged all councils and housing associations to ensure their housing stock meets the decent homes standard by December 2010. In order for a home to meet the standard it should be warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities.
What we have achieved so far……
Since we began the home improvement programme in 2006 we have fitted 1017 new bathrooms, 1010 new kitchens, 235 new PVCu front and back doors and many other home improvements.
What we will be doing this year
Our investment this year is targeted to ensure we bring our homes up to the Decent Homes Standard by December 2010. To do this we will be investing £9 million through our programmes to improve and repair homes this year As part of our commitment to putting residents at the heart of everything we do, we have consulted with residents on the Repairs Partnership Board and the Reinvestment Panel on the approach they would like to see us taking to delivering improvement works. Following this consultation we agreed that this year we will carry out improvement work to as many properties as we can, doing something in each property. This is different to the approach we took last year where we were often carrying out a range of improvement work at one property. We are committed to carrying out all work necessary to bring your home up to the Decent Homes Standard in this financial year. We recognise this may lead to disappointment for some residents who would like more improvements carried out and we hope to address some of these issues through the use of Home MOTS and batching repairs into a planned programme to achieve greater value for money.
How do you know if your home meets the decent homes standard?
Wherry have been carrying out surveys on all of the homes we own to bring together all the information we need to assess whether a home meets the Decent Home standard and if not what work we need to do to bring it up to this standard. A Home will fail the Decent Homes Standard if there is an unacceptable risk in your home from the point of view of the most vulnerable user such as an elderly person. This is an HHSRS failure, or if three main parts of your home are not in a reasonable state of repair such as windows, roof and electrical wiring. This is an unreasonable state of repair failure.
We are committed to reaching the governments Decent Homes target of December 2010.
What is included in each of our programmes?
| Kitchen Replacements |
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The main works include:-
• Installation of new cupboards, drawers, worktops and sink
• Tiling and redecoration of walls
• Fitting of new flooring
| Bathroom Replacements |
|---|
The main works include:-
• Installation of bath, over bath shower, sink and toilet
• Tiling and redecoration of walls
• Fitting of new flooring
If you feel that a standard bathroom replacement would not suit your needs if, for example, you have difficulty in getting in and out of the bath, please inform the contractor so that an assessment can be made. Alternatively you can contact our Wherry Care team to discuss the matter further, please call Sue Atkins on 01603 703533 or Frances Harvey on 01603 703885 or email them by clicking this link: wherrycare@circleanglia.org
| Boiler and Heating Replacements |
|---|
The main works include:-
• Boiler replacement
• Boiler and radiator replacement
• Replacement of electric heating systems
| Insulation |
|---|
Insulation works can involve fitting new loft insulation and/or cavity wall insulation.
A survey carried out by our contractor will decide on exactly what works need to be carried out.
| Window and Door Replacements |
|---|
The works on this programme include:-
• Window replacements
• Front and back door replacements
• Patio door replacements
| Re-Roofing |
|---|
The works on this programme include:-
• Re-roofing of pitched roofs
• Re-roofing of flat roofs
• Works to chimneys
