Neighbourhood Services

HOUSING

Kitchen, Rewire, Bathroom refurbishment 

The following is a general guide to the works:

• Renewal of electrical wiring.
• Renewal, (and, if necessary, repositioning), of switches, sockets, light pendants and main fuse box.
• Renewal of kitchen units (complete with cornices and pelmets)
• Renewal of sink and taps
• Renewal of worktops
• Electrical rewiring and repositioning of sockets in kitchen, (if necessary) to suit the tenants white goods (cooker, washing machine etc)
• Three course of tiling above worktops (usually from worktops to underside of wall units)
• Renewal of bath (or shower) including proprietary side panels.
• Renewal of wash-hand basin.
• Renewal of toilet /cistern.

There may be some alterations to the layout of your kitchen. This will be discussed with you prior to works taking place.

You will get a choice of four different schemes of kitchen drawer fronts and doors. There will also be a limited choice of the colour for any ceramic tiled splashbacks. This will be explained to you by the Contractor and/or Contract Administrator prior to the work commencing.

Disturbances will be kept to a minimum, however it is likely there will be some disruption as these are major works including plumbing and full house electrical rewiring. Depending on the layout of your new kitchen radiators/storage heaters may have to be repositioned and your central heating may have to be switched off during this time.

Obviously all reasonable care will be taken during these works but your decoration will still be affected and to assist you will receive a disturbance allowance for each element as follows: - Kitchen £100, Bathroom £50, Electrical rewire of full property £125 plus £25 for each additional bedroom after the first, Partial electrical rewiring of the property includes kitchen area, smoke alarms, external lights and if necessary the renewal of switches, sockets throughout property and consumer unit, £50 will be paid to you, by cheque, on satisfactory completion of the works. Please note however that should you be in rent arrears at the time the works are being carried out this amount will be credited to your rent account.

Any taps/mixer unit fitted to an existing sink that you wish to retain can be refitted by the Contractor but the responsibility for its future maintenance will remain with yourself. However, if the taps/mixer unit does not meet current regulations or British Safety Standards they will not be fitted and standard accessories will be used. All components for removal that are owned by the householder will be offered to them and only disposed of by the Contractor if rejected by the householder.

Your water supply will be turned off at periods to allow the installation. You will have to make alternative arrangements for drinking water/domestic water and toilet provisions during this time.

Contractors responsibilities

• Notice of works – the Contractor must give you a minimum of 7 days notice in writing of the date the works will commence in your home.
• Contacts – the Contractor must provide a contact person, telephone numbers and an emergency contact number for outwith working hours.
• Carpets and furniture – it is the Contractors responsibility to lift floor coverings and remove and replace heavy furniture to allow the works to be carried out, (see also your responsibilities).
• Tidiness – the Contractor is required to protect your home by using clean dustsheets and also clean and brush up after each operation.
• Floorboards – the Contractor will ensure that any lifted floorboards are not left up overnight and that all required warning signs are displayed. The Contractor will screw down all lifted floorboards on completion of the works.
• Working hours – the Contractor can only work in homes between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday unless with the permission of both the householder and the Council.
• Identification – the Contractor's employees and Council employees will all carry identification and they must show it to you before entering your home.
• Insurance – the Contractor carries all required insurance. However, it is recommended that you have your own insurance to represent you in any claim or dispute and advisable to take all reasonable measures to protect your belongings from accidental damage.

Your responsibilities

• To allow access for the works.
• To remove all bathroom accessories e.g. mirrors, pictures, toothbrush and toilet roll holders etc . To empty any furniture to be moved, empty any cupboards required for access and remove light articles and ornaments to a safe location. If you are unable to carry this out please phone our Housing Investment Programme Team who will arrange for an officer to visit to discuss/arrange.
• To take responsibility for carpets, laminated flooring or vinyl that is glued or nailed down and cannot be lifted be the Contractor without the expectation of damage. (It may be lifted at the request of the occupier using all possible care but no recompense for damage will be paid).
• To notify our Housing Investment Programme Team of any unavoidable access problems such as holidays or hospital appointments.
• To advise visitors and members of the household that the works are taking place and to exercise the care required to avoid accidents.
• To notify our Housing Investment Programme Team of any elderly, infirm and/or disabled person/s who will need special consideration and possible respite care while the works are being carried out.

Adaptations

 If a member of your household has a physical or medical need for a special bathing aid such as level access or wet floor shower. Please contact Social Work (01563 528011) for a referral to an Occupational Therapist who will carry out an assessment. Please apply for an assessment as soon as possible to avoid any delay in the works being carried out. Please also advise our Housing Investment Programme Team of your intention to apply for an assessment.

Should you have any further enquiries please contact our Housing Investment Programme Team on (01563) 576665 or 554847 - Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 9am – 4pm.

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