Frequently Asked Questions
When am I due to have work carried out?
You can find out when we will be carrying out work in each part of the town by clicking below:
What kind of improvements will I get?
We wants all our homes to meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard by 2014. Many of our properties already meet this standard so you may not need any work done. The work we do will depend on the results of surveys we carried out on all of our homes. The work may include one or more of the following:-
- New or upgraded Heating and controls
- New or upgraded Electrics
- New or upgraded Bathroom
- New or upgraded Kitchen
How long will the work take?
A Resident Liaison Officer will visit you before the work starts and will let you know how long it is likely to take. They will keep you updated about when key phases will be completed.
Will I have to clear furniture myself?
You can help us take the best possible care of your belongings by taking some simple precautions. It makes sense to put away fragile or valuable items and remove things from the walls to save them getting knocked.
Wherever possible you should remove floor coverings and furniture from areas where access is required and in certain cases we may be able to help you do this. Your Resident Liaison Officer will discuss this in more detail when they visit you before the work starts.
We always use dust sheets when working in your home to protect floor coverings and furniture that has not been removed.
Will I be having a new Kitchen?
Thanks to additional funding future phases of our Major Works Programme will be based on the our Asset Management Standard. The criteria for this standard will be based on an elements remaining life.
This means we will carry out work on elements of your home which will need replacement before 2014.
For example:
A bathroom surveyed in 2009 which has a remaining life of 3 years would require replacement in 2012 and therefore be included in the programme.
A kitchen surveyed in 2010 which has a remaining life of 5 years would require replacement in 2015 and therefore not be included in the programme.
The elements of work covered by this guidance are:
- Heating
- Electrics
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
Why is my neighbour having work and I am not?
Because each property has had different work carried out over the years, which may be repairs, renewals or upgrades of various fittings or parts. Your home will be different from your neighbours’ home. Major Works carried out in each property will depend on the outcome of the surveys.
How will Stevenage Homes determine what works are carried out to my home?
A survey will have been carried out to the whole property. The results of the survey will be compared to the decent homes standard. This will determine the extent of work to your home. If surveyors were not able to gain access to your property, they will have cloned survey data from a similar property within your area. Not all homes will need work
What if I don't want work carried out?
We would recommend you to have the work done if it is required as it will benefit you and will make a dramatic improvement to your home.
If however you do not want the work carried out, you can refuse the work unless it poses a health and safety risk to you. You can inform the Resident Liaison Officer that you do not want any work when they come to visit you in your home. They will ask you to sign a refusal form confirming this.
Will I be receiving a Decorating Allowance after the works are carried out to my property?
If Electrical or Heating works have been carried out to your property after the 1st April 2009, you could be eligible for receiving a B&Q decorating voucher.
Having successfully secured additional Government funding, we are now able to issue B&Q vouchers, where an electrical rewire or central heating system have been installed. This only came into effect on the 1st April 2009.
How much will I receive if I have had work carried out?
When a property has had either an electrical re-wire or a central heating system fitted we will provide a £100.00 decorating voucher to spend at B&Q in Stevenage. If you have had a re-wire and central heating installed you will receive £200.00. Our project officers will survey your property after the work has been completed to say whether you will be entitled to the decorating vouchers.
What can I buy with the B&Q Voucher?
The voucher allows you to buy a range of decorating materials. This includes Interior paints, wood care and varnishes, wallpapers and pastes, non-powered tools such as brushes and wallpaper scrapers, sandpaper, fillers and sealants. You will have this information on the letter you receive with the voucher.
When do I have to use the voucher by?
We suggest that you purchase your decorating materials within 3 months. If you have an issue with purchasing the materials within this time frame, please advise us on 01438 242666 Investment Team.
Who can purchase the materials from B&Q?
The person who signed for the card must be present when making a purchase and one form of ID with a signature must be shown to the cashier. You should take the letter you received when you were passed the voucher with you also.
Giving B&Q vouchers to carryout decorating will now form part of the Major Works standard, if you have had new central heating fitted or a rewire carried out after the 1st April 2009 and have not yet received a letter please contact us on 01438 242666 or email us at investment@stevenagehomes.org.uk
Where can I get further information?
If you have any further questions about Major Works, please email Investment@stevenagehomes.org.uk or call 01438 242666.