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Decent Homes
Decent Homes is a national target which is set by the government. The government states all properties will be brought up to this standard by 2013.
Tenants will be aware that the government's original completion date for achieving the Decent Homes Standard was 2010.
The criteria for the Decent Homes Standard are as follows:
- It must meet the current statutory minimum standard for housing
- It must be in a reasonable state of repair
- It must have reasonably modern facilities and services
- it must provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort
The undertaking of the South Tyneside Decent Homes programme will mean that every council home within South Tyneside will, by the year 2013, meet a minimum government standard.
Before any repairs are carried out, it is important to understand that each home will be individually surveyed. the results of the survey dictate the types of work which will be undertaken. Only those elements that fail the Decent Homes Standard by being in both old and poor condition will be replaced. This in effect means that each home will have its own programme of work based upon the investment required to bring that home up to the Decent Homes Standard. In practical terms, this means that not everyone will receive a new kitchen, not everyone will get a new UPVC front door etc.
For more information on the Decent Homes standard, visit www.decenthomesstandard.co.uk.
> Decent Homes: The South Tyneside Standard
An overview of the various programmes
This is a 5-year programme which includes elements such as rewiring, heating systems, kitchens and bathrooms. This is the same approach as was originally proposed. Is the core of the Two Star programme is the area of work that is one of the highest priorities for tenants.
This has two strands to it. There is a 5-year programme that will form part of the Repairs and Maintenance Contract. This work will be led by roof repair and will address all other external elements at the same time. There is also a 3-Year programme to start in 2010 as a specific Decent Homes Contract, led by roof replacement. These contracts will both include elements such as roofing, soffits, fascia’s, rain water goods and external wall repairs. Again, this is the same approach as was originally proposed.
This is a 2-year programme scheduled to commence in 2008. This is amended from the original proposal as it will focus mostly on door replacement. This is because further survey work has identified that the need to replace whole window units is much less than originally estimated. The recent completion of the UPVC Window Programme across South Tyneside Homes has delivered the security benefits of UPVC Frames as well as modernising the appearance of the homes themselves. Most windows in the borough can be upgraded through replacement of the glass unit, rather than whole window replacement, at much reduced cost. As a result, the revised Door Programme has been shortened by a year to ensure all tenants can see a visible impact and benefit from security enhancements through the Decent Homes Programme across South Tyneside in as short a period as possible.
Single to Double Glazing Programme
This is a 5-year programme and is to be delivered through the Repairs and Maintenance Contract. This revised approach will deliver greater value for money by allowing specialised UPVC Contractors to deliver one element of work and glaziers to deliver the other.
A Specific Sheltered Accommodation Programme
Further work has identified that there will be economies of scale and enhanced value for money if we deliver enhancements to sheltered accommodation in a “whole house” approach, rather than as separate elements as previously proposed. Most of the required investment in sheltered accommodation consists of internal work. This will also minimise disruption to a particularly vulnerable customer group. This programme will start in year two of the two star programme, due to the financial constraints presented by the need to extend delivery to 2013 from the original 2010 completion date.
More on the Decent Homes programme 2008-2013
Decent Homes Service Improvement Group
Do you want to help shape services and make key improvements to service delivery?
If so, come along and be part of our Decent Homes Service Improvement Group.
The group meet about once a month and discuss a variety of issues relating to Decent Homes and we would like to have you on board.
Some of the issues the group have been involved with to date are:
- Helping shape the Decent Homes Programme
- Reviewing kitchen, fire choices
- Assisting with the recruitment of contractors to carry out the Decent Homes work
- Reviewing the Tenant Liaison Service
- Reviewing Decent Homes policies/procedures
If you would like to be involved with this group, please contact the Decent Homes Team on 0191 423 4000.
See also:
