We deliver a programme of planned investment to our homes and neighbourhoods across Northampton. This includes refurbishing and modernising existing homes.

As your home gets older, we may need to replace or improve things such as bathrooms, kitchens, heating systems, and your windows and doors, and to make sure we meet the Decent Homes Standard

Every year we work in estates across Northampton and plan which homes need upgrades or improvements due to their age and condition. This work is carried out in two streams; external works and internal works. Work is carried out according to financial years, so runs from April – March.

External works could include:

  • Doors;
  • Windows;
  • Facias; and
  • Guttering.

Internal works could include:

  • Kitchens;
  • Bathrooms;
  • Loft insulation; and
  • Electrical rewiring.

What happens if my home is due an internal or external survey?

If your home is included in the estate for the next financial year’s internal works, we will:

  • Write to you and invite you to book an internal stock condition survey.
  • During the survey, our surveyors will carry out a visual stock condition survey. They will collect information on the condition of the main elements of your property, such as your kitchen and electrics. This information will be used to identify what work may need doing in the future, but they will not be able to tell you at this stage what work, if any, will be carried out.
  • Let you know when the survey will be undertaken in your home to prepare for the planned works programmes.

If your home is included in the estate for the current financial year’s internal works, we will:

  • Write to you to let you know what work we are planning to do in your home. A resident liaison officer from our contractor will be in touch to let you know when work will start in your home.
  • Where possible, we will give you choices to the changes to your home, such as the colour of doors.

If your home is included in the estate for the next financial year’s external works, we will:

  • Carry out the survey outside of your home without disturbing you.

If your home is included in the estate for the current financial year’s external works, we will:

  • Write to you to let you know what work we are planning to do in your home. A resident liaison officer from our contractor will be in touch to let you know when work will start in your home.
  • Where possible, we will give you choices to the changes to your home, such as the colour of doors.

A stock condition survey is when a surveyor checks the condition of your home. We aim to carry out surveys ahead of any planned works in your area so we can review the results, order any materials needed, and work with our contractors to plan the programme of works.

If we write to you for access to do a survey, it’s important you respond to this and let us into your home. Otherwise we may not be able to schedule improvement works to your home.

Information about the survey:

  • It usually takes around 30-45 minutes.
  • You will not need to move any furniture during the survey.
  • The surveyor will collect information and identify the work that may be needed in the future.
  • The surveyor will not be able to tell you there and then what work, if any, is needed.
  • Our surveyors carry ID with them and will be happy to show this to you before you let them into your home.

The Government believes everyone should have the opportunity to have a decent home.

This means it should:

  • Be warm;
  • Be weatherproof; and
  • Have reasonably modern facilities.

The Government states that each are a key element of any thriving, sustainable community.

To help achieve this, it introduced the Decent Homes Standard to help social housing providers improve the conditions of their homes. For a property to be labelled a decent home, it must meet certain criteria.

It has nothing to do with location, floor level or size. Instead it focusses on the health and wellbeing of the people who live in these homes.

The Government Decent Home Guidance states that a kitchen is expected to last 20 years and a bathroom 30 years.

You can find more information here: COVER (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Internal works:

  • Some works are essential to your safety, so you are required to allow our contractors to carry out this work.
  • You may choose to refuse other types of improvement works such as a replacement kitchen or bathroom. If you decide not to allow us to do this work, we’ll ask you to confirm this on a refusal of works form.
  • Please note that if you change your mind at a later date and decide you want the work done, it may not be possible for us to schedule it in to the same year’s programme.

External works:

  • You’re required to allow our contractors to carry out this work.
  • Exceptions will only be made in the most exceptional circumstances.

No, not necessarily. As work varies from property to property according to age and condition, you may not be offered the same work as a neighbour.

If something in your home needs fixing, please report a repair. Find out how to report a repair: Repairs

Yes, you will be given choice of designs and colours for some elements such as kitchens, bathrooms, doors and sometimes communal or external areas.

A resident liaison officer from our contractors will be in touch with you to let you know what you’re able to choose.

If you or anyone living at your home have a disability and are finding it difficult to get into and around your home, or to use some of the facilities within your home, we may be able to help you by carrying out adaptations.

Some typical fixtures and fittings we provide include the following:

  • Grab rails and banisters
  • Level access to your home
  • Taps and/or handles if yours are difficult to turn
  • Kitchen and Bathroom alterations

To help us decide what kind of help you need, we will assess your needs. You can find out more about the service and how to get in touch here: Adaptations Service

The Government Decent Home Guidance states how long kitchens and bathrooms should last.

It states that:

  • Kitchens – 20 years;
  • Bathrooms – 30 years;
  • Boilers – 15 years; and
  • Wiring – 40 years.

You can find more information here: COVER (publishing.service.gov.uk)