The Adults and Housing department is refurbishing the bathrooms in Leicester’s council housing. Work will began on a ‘worst first’ basis, dealing with older bathrooms first.

Obviously there'll be lots of tenants wanting their bathrooms done, so we’ve consulted widely on how to choose which properties should come first.

As a result, City Councillors have decided that:

· The work will be spread over the whole city, with bathrooms being modernised in each of the six community association areas each year. We will only refurbish the bathrooms in properties over 35 years old. We will start with the bathrooms where tenants have been with the Council the longest time, and then work our way down;

We will then only refurbish the bathroom,

· If no other major work has been done on the property in the previous five years.

· If the Council is not in the process of taking legal action against the tenant, for example for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.

The policy seems to be a fair way of deciding who gets a new bathroom first. It generally means that it will be our most loyal tenants, who are also likely to be those with the oldest bathrooms, who will get their bathrooms refurbished first.

We expect the bathroom refurbishment programme will take around eight years to complete. In that time we will refurbish all the bathrooms that fit this bill, if the tenants want the work to be done, and assuming the funding is still available.

Tenants who are disabled can apply to be added to the programme through their local neighbourhood housing office or via their social worker, if they have one, but other tenants will not be able to apply for the work to be done. Council officers will decide each year, on the basis of the policy, which properties are eligible for a bathroom refurbishment. They will then write to the tenant, letting them know that their bathroom is in the programme for the year.

If the tenant says they are interested, they will be sent an information pack and video, setting out in detail what the work involves, what they will have to do, how long the refurbishment will take, how much it will cost and so on. If the tenant wants to go ahead, they will sign an agreement form and we will order the materials and put their bathroom into the work timetable.

 

In the meantime, tenants can still ask for repairs to their bathrooms as usual, through our Repairs Call Centre, on (0116) 252 7007.

 

It will involve quite a lot of mess and disruption to your life, for at least a week, but once the work’s finished, we’re sure you’ll feel it’s all been worthwhile. You’ll have a bright new modern bathroom, including:

· a complete makeover.

· new suite: wash-hand basin, toilet and bath in a choice of three colours.

· new lever-arm taps in a choice of short or long arm styles, whichever you find easiest to use (and if you choose a short arm now, we can always swop them for
long arm lever taps in the future).

· new shower with a choice of either an over-bath shower or a walk-in shower without a
bath (the shower will generally be plumbed into the existing hot water system - if this is
not possible we will install a separate unit).

· new ceramic wall tiles covering the wall around the bath or shower, in a choice of three
colours (to a maximum of 10 square metres - you can also pay to have more tiling if you wish).

· new waterproof, non-slip, all-in-one floor covering in a choice of three colours so that if you choose a bath now, but want to change to a walk-in shower in the future, we wont need to change the floor.

· new heat recovery extractor fan to remove steam. The fan will also put the heat back into the home.

· new shower curtain in a choice of two colours.

· redecoration in a choice of three colours once the work is completed.

PLUS, if a new window has not already been fitted as part of our window programme,
a new double-glazed PVCu window giving you greater security and extra warmth in your home.

AND ALSO, a larger bathroom where it’s possible. If you would like us to, we can create a bigger bathroom for you by removing internal walls and knocking through into the toilet.

Design it yourself

Although the range of possibilities is usually limited by the plumbing arrangements, you will be able to work with our design consultant to arrange the layout of your bathroom. Using a computerised bathroom design package, your design consultant will create a plan and a realistic 3D drawing of your new bathroom for you to approve before the work starts.

Special needs

Please tell your design consultant at the design stage if you have any special needs, such as a disability, that need to be taken into consideration. If your bathroom needs major adaptations we may ask an Occupational Therapist to make an assessment of your needs.

Getting the best from the new bathroom

All of the new furnishing, materials and fitments in our new bathrooms have been selected for their high quality specification. They will be fitted to the highest standards.

If you follow these guidelines, your new bathroom will last a long time and give many years of trouble-free service.

Cleaning

· Use ordinary bathroom cleaners for the new suite and tiles. Avoid using strong bleaches, scourers or abrasive cleaners, since they can damage and scratch the surfaces, which will make them harder to keep clean and less hygienic in future.

· Just use warm soapy water to clean the window frame. Wipe off any stubborn stains using a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner. Do not use abrasive powders or pads on the PVCu plastic, since they will scratch the surface, making it harder to keep clean.

· Clean the glass like any other window.

· Clean the new flooring using ordinary non-abrasive floor cleaners.

Safety

· Do not stand on the toilet, wash-hand basin or bath. They may not be able to take the weight and you may be hurt if you slip or fall.

· Take care not to puncture or cut the all-in-one flooring - otherwise it may leak and cause damage to the timbers and ceiling below.

· Do not paint the PVCu window, tiles or floor. Paint will cause permanent damage to the surfaces and you will have to pay the Council to put it right.

· Do not make holes in window frames - they will be very difficult to fill in or cover up, and could lead to further damage.

· Protect the vinyl floor covering from sharp objects that will cause holes or tears, causing leaks into the room below.

· Protect the vinyl floor covering from hot objects such as cigarettes, which will burn holes in the covering causing leaks.

· Do not seal or polish the floor covering.

· Do not have fitted carpets installed as this will also damage the floor covering . (A loose carpet or rug can be laid over the floor if you wish).

Bathroom fittings

Our bathroom team will refit any bathroom fitments you want from your old bathroom while they are doing the rest of the work. If you would prefer, we can fit a new towel rail, a towel ring, and a toilet roll holder as part of the package.

While we’re doing the work.

The refurbishing will take at least a week, possibly longer. It will make some mess and will cause some disruption to life at home, since you will not be able to use your bathroom for most of the time. The team will make sure you have a usable toilet at the end of each day (unless the property has a second toilet that’s in working order).

To keep your belongings safe while the work is being done, you will need to:

 

· clear everything out of the bathroom, including all curtains, carpets, mats, movable
furniture, and personal belongings (the fitters will pack and move things for you if you are
elderly or disabled and need some help).

· make sure the team can get in to your home to do the work: it usually takes about a
week from start to finish (please let the team know if youre planning to be away at the
time, and they will try to fit in with your plans).

· make sure your family and any visitors follow the safety first guidelines (see below).

Our bathroom team will:

 

· redecorate your bathroom once the work is finished.

· cover carpets and furniture with dustsheets where needed and clean up at the end of
each day.

· make sure you know how to open, close and lock your new bathroom window and how to
work the shower and heat extractor fan.

Paying for your new bathroom

Because refurbishing a bathroom counts as a council housing improvement your rent will go up. If you’re receiving Housing Benefit, it will automatically be adjusted so that some or all of the increase is covered. We will tell you what your increase in rent will be before we start any work.

Right to Buy

If you are planning to buy your council property under the Right to Buy scheme the City Council will not refurbish the bathroom. You must tell us if you have decided to buy your home before the work starts, otherwise you will be charged for the new bathroom and for the cost of installing it.

Safety first

 

· Keep children well away when the fitters are taking out the your old bathroom and
installing the new one.

· Do not let children climb on any scaffolding or ladders.

· Do not let children interfere or play with any equipment, materials or tools.

· Keep valuables and breakables out of the way while the work is being done.

· Move everything out of your bathroom before the work starts.

· The work may result in some dust and broken glass, so please keep any pets well away
from the work area.

Problems or complaints

 

· If you find the new window difficult to open, or the new shower difficult to operate, do
not force them. Get in touch with your design consultant using the number in your information pack.

· If you have any problems with your new bathroom, for example with the plumbing or
tiling, let the team know as soon as possible. Contact your design consultant using the
phone number in your information pack.