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Planned improvements
To keep our homes and the people who live in them safe, all our properties are inspected and checked on a regular basis. As our homes get older certain things may need replacing or updating. These works, or planned improvements, are scheduled each year
- 1. Investing in Homes: Planned improvements
- 492 new bathrooms
- 619 new kitchens
- 1,538 new boilers
- 4,376 smoke and heat alarms
- 345 new windows
- 357 new roofs
- 944 electrical rewires
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Boilers and heating systems
- Windows, doors and roofs
- External painting…and more.
- 2. Essential Checks
- 3. Gas Servicing
- Check boilers, flues, pipework, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Do a visual inspection of any gas cooker. Servicing of a gas cooker is your responsibility since it belongs to you
- Show you where the gas meter is and how to turn off the gas in an emergency
- Record the safety checks we make and leave you a copy
- Turn off gas supply at the meter
- Open windows and doors
- Put out any naked flames
- Keep away from the affected area
- Do not use electrical switches
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999
In 2020/21, we spent £17m modernising and improving homes, communal areas and residential blocks. Installing:
We also take on larger projects, like making buildings more energy-efficient, and improving or replacing communal facilities.
How often can I expect home improvements?
Every year we look at the age and condition of our properties and put together a programme of major replacements or repairs. These can include:
Each of these items has a typical life cycle which is either the manufacturers suggestion, or a technical estimate based on how elements have lasted historically - we assess how long each part of your home should last on average so we know how when it would be due for replacing or refurbishing.
The table gives you an idea of when we might replace the main elements of your home:
| Item | Life cycle |
|---|---|
| Roof | 75 years |
| Radiators | 36 years |
| Bathrooms | 30 years |
| Windows | 30 years |
| Rewiring | 30 years |
| Rainwater goods | 30 years |
| Kitchens | 20 years |
| Boilers | 18 years |
| External painting | 8 years |
If we’re planning improvements in your area, we’ll let you know well in advance and try to fit in with your work and family commitments.
We know major repairs can be a big upheaval but it’s worth it in the end.
If you don’t let us make essential property checks, we won’t carry out any planned repairs to your property. Work would be suspended until you let us complete our property condition surveys.
How planned improvement projects work
If we’re planning to improve your home in the next 12 months, we’ll contact you in advance and let you know our proposal and to answer any queries or concerns you have about the proposed work.
If you’re a leaseholder we have a legal requirement to consult with you about the extent of the work, the likely cost involved, the proposed contractors, we will discuss this all with you
Your Tenant Liaison Officer will visit you beforehand to answer any questions, discuss any special needs you have and let you know when the work will be carried out. They’ll also contact you periodically during the works to make sure everything is going smoothly and answer any additional questions or concerns you might have.
You may not get the same work completed as your neighbours, as works vary from home to home according to age, condition and design changes.
If something in your home needs to be repaired, you can request a repair, find out how to report a repair here.
Find out more in the Planned improvements FAQs.
Keeping your home secure and warm is a big priority for us
But it’s even more important that your home is safe to live in.
The regular checks and surveys we make alert us to any potential problems that might arise. They don’t take long and appointments can be made to suit you.
Checks include:
| Type | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety Check | Annual | 30 mins |
| Property Condition Check | 5 yearly | 30 mins |
| Electrical Safety Check | 5 yearly | Up to 2hrs |
| Asbestos Safety Survey | 5 yearly | 30 mins |
| Energy Performance Survey | 5 yearly | Up to 1.5hrs |
| Water System Safety Check | 1.5hrs |
Not only do these checks help keep you and your family safe, they let us know when things need improving. They’re also a condition of your tenancy agreement.
Not letting us in to make these essential surveys might mean you miss out on property improvements and updates.
Faulty gas appliances can put lives in danger
That’s why we service and check all the gas appliances in our properties every year. More than that, it’s our legal obligation as a landlord.
A typical gas safety inspection takes no longer than 30 minutes but it could save your life.
During an inspection we’ll:
If you don’t let us carry out the gas inspection we make take you to court. This could result in you paying court charges of £400.
What to do if you smell gas or fumes
In 2020/21, we spent £17m modernising and improving homes, communal areas and residential blocks. Installing:
- 492 new bathrooms
- 619 new kitchens
- 1,538 new boilers
- 4,376 smoke and heat alarms
- 345 new windows
- 357 new roofs
- 944 electrical rewires
We also take on larger projects, like making buildings more energy-efficient, and improving or replacing communal facilities.
How often can I expect home improvements?
Every year we look at the age and condition of our properties and put together a programme of major replacements or repairs. These can include:
- Kitchens and bathrooms
- Boilers and heating systems
- Windows, doors and roofs
- External painting…and more.
Each of these items has a typical life cycle which is either the manufacturers suggestion, or a technical estimate based on how elements have lasted historically - we assess how long each part of your home should last on average so we know how when it would be due for replacing or refurbishing.
The table gives you an idea of when we might replace the main elements of your home:
| Item | Life cycle |
|---|---|
| Roof | 75 years |
| Radiators | 36 years |
| Bathrooms | 30 years |
| Windows | 30 years |
| Rewiring | 30 years |
| Rainwater goods | 30 years |
| Kitchens | 20 years |
| Boilers | 18 years |
| External painting | 8 years |
If we’re planning improvements in your area, we’ll let you know well in advance and try to fit in with your work and family commitments.
We know major repairs can be a big upheaval but it’s worth it in the end.
If you don’t let us make essential property checks, we won’t carry out any planned repairs to your property. Work would be suspended until you let us complete our property condition surveys.
How planned improvement projects work
If we’re planning to improve your home in the next 12 months, we’ll contact you in advance and let you know our proposal and to answer any queries or concerns you have about the proposed work.
If you’re a leaseholder we have a legal requirement to consult with you about the extent of the work, the likely cost involved, the proposed contractors, we will discuss this all with you
Your Tenant Liaison Officer will visit you beforehand to answer any questions, discuss any special needs you have and let you know when the work will be carried out. They’ll also contact you periodically during the works to make sure everything is going smoothly and answer any additional questions or concerns you might have.
You may not get the same work completed as your neighbours, as works vary from home to home according to age, condition and design changes.
If something in your home needs to be repaired, you can request a repair, find out how to report a repair here.
Find out more in the Planned improvements FAQs.
Keeping your home secure and warm is a big priority for us
But it’s even more important that your home is safe to live in.
The regular checks and surveys we make alert us to any potential problems that might arise. They don’t take long and appointments can be made to suit you.
Checks include:
| Type | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Safety Check | Annual | 30 mins |
| Property Condition Check | 5 yearly | 30 mins |
| Electrical Safety Check | 5 yearly | Up to 2hrs |
| Asbestos Safety Survey | 5 yearly | 30 mins |
| Energy Performance Survey | 5 yearly | Up to 1.5hrs |
| Water System Safety Check | 1.5hrs |
Not only do these checks help keep you and your family safe, they let us know when things need improving. They’re also a condition of your tenancy agreement.
Not letting us in to make these essential surveys might mean you miss out on property improvements and updates.
Faulty gas appliances can put lives in danger
That’s why we service and check all the gas appliances in our properties every year. More than that, it’s our legal obligation as a landlord.
A typical gas safety inspection takes no longer than 30 minutes but it could save your life.
During an inspection we’ll:
- Check boilers, flues, pipework, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Do a visual inspection of any gas cooker. Servicing of a gas cooker is your responsibility since it belongs to you
- Show you where the gas meter is and how to turn off the gas in an emergency
- Record the safety checks we make and leave you a copy
If you don’t let us carry out the gas inspection we make take you to court. This could result in you paying court charges of £400.
What to do if you smell gas or fumes
- Turn off gas supply at the meter
- Open windows and doors
- Put out any naked flames
- Keep away from the affected area
- Do not use electrical switches
- Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999