Replacement Kitchens
The Adults and Housing department started a kitchen refurbishment programme for council tenants in 2002. The aim of the programme is to upgrade all council housing kitchens that fall below a certain standard.
Work is being carried out in each of the six community association areas of the city, with over 400 kitchen refurbishments being completed each year. Kitchens need to be over 30 years old in order to qualify for the scheme.
The refurbishment team originally started refurbishing the kitchens of tenants who have been with the council the longest. The team are currently working their way down the list.
Tenants will only have their kitchens refurbished if:
- No other major work has been done on the property in the previous five years
- The Council is not in the process of taking legal action against them (for example for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour).
We expect the kitchen refurbishment programme to be completed in 2010.
Please note that tenants cannot apply for the work to be done – Council officers use set guidelines to decide which properties are eligible for a kitchen refurbishment each year. They then write to the tenants concerned, letting them know that their kitchen has been selected for the refurbishment programme.
If the tenant is interested in having the work done, our kitchen design consultant will visit them and give them an information pack and video. This provides details of what the work involves, what they will have to do, how long the refurbishment will take, and how much it will cost.
Tenants who have kitchen refurbishment work carried out will benefit from:
- new wall-mounted kitchen units in a choice of three colours
- new pre-formed worktops in a choice of three colours
- new stainless steel sink and drainer inset into the worktop (including new mixer taps)
- new ceramic wall tiles covering a larger area than before, also in a choice of seven colours
- new ceramic floor tiles - easy to clean and hard wearing, in a choice of two colours
- new heat recovery extractor fan which removes steam and cooking smells but puts the heat back into your home
- additional electrical sockets to make your kitchen more convenient
- redecoration once the work is completed in the design/colours of your choice from the selection on offer.
In some instances, tenants will also be offered:
- a double-glazed PVCu kitchen window and kitchen back door, giving greater security and extra warmth to the home (a new window and or/door will only be fitted if there is one, and if it has not already been replaced as part of the window and door programme)
- a larger kitchen – we will make your kitchen bigger whenever possible, as long as it’s financially viable to do so and the work doesn’t require approval under Building Regulations. If it is safe to do so, we will try to knock through into the larder, coalhouse or hall, as applicable, to give you more space in your kitchen.
On top of all this, you’ll also be able to help design your kitchen layout with your own design consultant.
The Refurbishment Work
The refurbishing work will take over a week or more, will make some mess and will cause some disruption to life at home, since tenants will not be able to use their kitchens for most of the time.
To keep their belongings safe while the work is being done, householders will need to:
- Clear everything out of the kitchen, including all the crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, rugs, curtains and movable furniture (the fitters will do this if the householder is elderly or disabled)
- Empty their fridge or freezer (but do not switch them off)
- Make sure the team can get into the property to do the work; the work usually takes several days from start to finish or more (tenants are asked to let the team know if they are planning to be away on holiday, and the team will try to fit in with their plans)
- Make sure their family and any visitors follow the ‘safety first’ guidelines:
Safety First
- Keep children well away when the fitters are taking out your old kitchen 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 out of sight and safe while the work is being done.
- Move everything out of the kitchen before the work starts. This includes furniture, furnishings, crockery, cutlery, utensils and food.
- The work may result in some dust and broken glass, so tenants are asked to make sure any pets are kept well away from the working area.
- If tenants find the new windows or door difficult to open, they must not be forced - they should get in touch with the team on (0116) 252 7007.
Our kitchen team will:
- Cover carpets and furniture with dust sheets where necessary and clean up at the end of each day
- Make sure the householder knows how to open, close and lock their new window and door.
- Redecorate the kitchen once the work is completed.
All furnishing, materials and fitments in the new kitchens are selected for their high quality specification. They are also fitted to the highest standards. They will last a long time and give many years of trouble free service if certain guidelines are followed:
Cleaning
Use ordinary kitchen cleaners for the new worktops, units, sink and drainer. Avoid using strong bleaches, scourers or abrasive cleaners, since they can damage and scratch the surfaces, and make them harder to keep clean and hygienic in future.
Use warm soapy water to clean the window frames and door. Wipe off any stubborn stains using a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner. Do not use abrasive powders or pads on the PVCu plastic, as they will scratch the surface, making it harder to clean. They will also spoil the way it looks.
Clean the glass panels as you would any other window.
Protecting
Do not put hot pans on the surface – protect them with suitable mats or boards.
Do not stand on the worktops or drainer, nor allow children to swing on the cupboard doors. They may not be able to take the weight and people may be hurt if they slip or fall.
Painting
Do not paint the PVCu window or door, nor the tiles, worktops or unit. Paint will cause permanent damage and the tenant will have to pay the council to put it right.
Fixings
Do not make holes in the frames or doors, nor in the tiles, worktops or units. Holes in PVCu, work surfaces and tiles are very difficult to fill in or cover up.
Paying for the new kitchen
Because refurbishing a kitchen counts as an improvement to council housing your rent will go up. Housing Benefit will automatically be adjusted so that some or all of the increase is covered where tenants are receiving Housing Benefit.
We will tell you what your increase in rent will be before we start any work.
Right to Buy
If tenants are planning to buy their council property under the Right to Buy scheme the city council will not refurbish the kitchen. Tenants must tell the Adults and Housing department if they decide to buy their home before the work starts, otherwise they will be charged for the new kitchen and for the cost of installing it.
Special needs
If tenants have any special needs, for example because of age or disability, please let us know by contacting the team on (0116) 252 7007.
Problems or complaints
If tenants have any problems with their new kitchen (or example with the plumbing, new units or tiling) they should let the team know as soon as possible by calling the repairs call centre on (0116) 252 7007.
Everyday Kitchen Repairs
In the meantime, tenants can still ask for repairs to their kitchen as usual, through our repairs call centre, on (0116) 252 7007.