7 - Planned improvements
Major repairs
Our aim is to bring all homes up to the South Northants Homes Standard and to maintain them at this standard into the future. This meets and exceeds the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and is based on additional works that tenants have said they want.
You would not have to have the work done, unless it is necessary for health and safety purposes.
You would not be charged for the works programme outlined.
We will consult you on our programme of works and give you a choice from a range of designs and colours where possible.
Our major works programme includes:
- ensuring homes are structurally sound, watertight and free from damp
- providing modern quality kitchens (less than 20 years old) and bathrooms (less than 30 years old)
- modern electrical fittings
- modern standards of home safety such as hard wired smoke alarms and security lighting
- modern, energy efficient heating
- improved estate parking
- high security double glazed doors and widows (as long as planning allows)
- over-bath or level access shower as appropriate
- secure and clean communal areas in blocks of flats
- carbon monoxide detectors
- estate improvements
We also aim to use sustainable products in the repairs and improvement programmes. We also aim to provide training and employment opportunities through local labour agreements and our own direct labour organisation.
How we will make sure you are satisfied with the work
We aim to get all repairs done properly and promptly first time. The performance of our repairs team and external contractors is a key priority for us.
We will post inspect all completed major improvements and up to 15% of all responsive repairs. The purpose of this is to check the quality of the service provided to you and to make sure that standards are maintained and improved.
We also ask for your comments on the repairs service that you have received through customer satisfaction surveys, as these are invaluable to us in helping to identify how we can improve.
| Type of Repair | Examples | Target Timescales |
| Priority 1 Emergency Repairs |
Dangerous electrical faults or major water leaks that cannot be isolated by the tenant. |
Immediate response - completion within 4 hours |
| Priority 2 Emergency Repairs |
Central heating and hot water breakdowns, or blocked drains or toilets. |
Same day response where possible - completion within 24 hours |
| Urgent Repairs | Central heating repairs or electrical faults to single circuits. |
Response within 5 working days. |
| Routine Repairs | Repair to a kitchen unit or replacement toilet cistern or seat |
Response within 20 working days. |
| Other Repairs | Repairs to fencing, garden paths or guttering. |
Response within 60 working days |
Carrying out your own improvements
If you get our permission in writing and you meet the relevant building and planning regulations of the Council, you may:
- carry out structural changes to your home such as knocking down internal walls or alterations to the property such as installing electrical wiring or gas pipes or adding fixtures and fittings such as a new fireplace. You may also put up an aerial or satellite dish unless a communal aerial is already in place.
- install a new kitchen or bathroom
- fit laminate flooring
- install a garden shed or structure. No permission is needed for a greenhouse or shed in your back garden measuring 8ft x 6ft or less.
- remove or alter trees, boundary hedges and fences
- remove, replace or alter any previously permitted improvements or alterations.
- erect a post or other structure on communal gardens or drying areas.
Please note that we must be satisfied with the work done and we may want to inspect it. If it is deficient or does not comply with the terms of the approval we gave, we may rectify, reinstate or remove it and you would be liable to meet all of our costs.
When you end your tenancy, you may be able to get compensation for any improvements that you have made.
