A major programme to refurbish the kitchens and bathrooms to our older housing stock is well underway. To date we have installed over 4,900 kitchens and 4,500 bathrooms. Whilst there is still along way to go, subject to funding we plan to continue with this replacement programme.
Who is eligible for the programme?
What packages are available?
The refurbishment process
Health and Safety
How much will it cost?
Right to Buy
Taking care of your new kitchen/bathroom
Not all properties are eligible, however after consultation, the following selection policy was decided:
Kitchens and Bathroom Programme Selection Criteria
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The age of the property must be at least 30 years old.
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A new kitchen or bathroom package has not already been fitted (this includes kitchens or bathrooms fitted following a referral from Social Services).
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Significant repairs have not been carried out to either the kitchen or bathroom over the last 5 years.
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The tenant has not submitted an application to buy their house under the ‘Right to Buy’ Scheme.
By applying the above criteria, there are currently over 4,500 properties that qualify for the programme. Subject to funding and phased over the next few years, we hope to offer all qualifying tenants the opportunity of having either a new kitchen or bathroom.
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The installation of kitchens/bathrooms to qualifying properties will be prioritised according to the age of the property, with the oldest properties being selected first, but split equally across the city.
Please note tenants cannot apply to have their kitchens or bathrooms refurbished. In March/April each year we will write to qualifying tenants, who will be given a choice of having either a kitchen or bathroom fitted.
Kitchen refurbishment involves taking out the entire kitchen and replacing it with:
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New floor and wall-mounted kitchen units
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New worktops
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New stainless steel insert sink with lever mixer taps
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New ceramic floor and wall tiles
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New extractor fan (where possible)
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Additional electrical sockets
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Full redecoration
Bathroom refurbishment involves taking out your entire bathroom and replacing it with:
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New bath / new shower
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New toilet and wash hand basin
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New ceramic wall tiles and new vinyl floor covering
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New accessories (towel rail, towel ring & toilet roll holder)
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New extractor fan (where possible)
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Full redecoration
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If the tenant is interested in having the work done, one of our Design Consultants will arrange an appointment at their home. They will be given the opportunity to discuss the layout of their new kitchen/bathroom and offered a range of colour schemes to choose from.
The installation of the kitchen/bathroom will take at least a week to complete. The installation will inevitably create some mess and cause some disruption to home life, however our contractors will try their best to work with tenants to minimise any potential problems.
Where tenants have chosen to have a bathroom installed, the contractors will ensure a useable toilet is made available at the end of each day, unless another useable toilet is available within the property.
On some occasions there may be a need to increase the size of your kitchen/bathroom. This option will only be considered where:
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There is a specific health & safety reason for doing so
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The proposal is financially viable
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The work does not require approval under the Building Regulations
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The proposal is safe and practical (for example it is often not practical to extend kitchens to homes in high rise blocks)
Design Consultants can be contacted at any time should tenants require any further information about the actual refurbishment process.
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Health & Safety is important to us. Tenants should observe the following guidelines:
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For kitchens - clear everything out of the kitchen, including all the crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, rugs, curtains and movable furniture. Fridges and freezers should also be emptied (but do not switch these off).*
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For bathrooms - clear everything out of the bathroom, including all curtains, carpets, mats, movable furniture, and personal belongings.*
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Keep children well away when the fitters are installing the new kitchen/ bathroom.
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Do not let children climb on any scaffolding or ladders.
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Do not let children interfere or play with any equipment, materials or tools.
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Keep valuables and easily damaged possessions well out of the way and safe whilst the work is being carried out.
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This work may result in some dust and broken glass, so tenants are asked to make sure any children and/or pets are kept well away from the working area.
* Please note that if tenants are elderly or disabled and need help with packing or moving items, the kitchen/bathroom contractors should be able to assist with this.
If tenants have any concerns about health & safety issues, where possible these should be reported to the kitchen/bathroom contractor in the first instance, otherwise tenants should contact our Tenants' Advice and Repairs Service on 0116 252 7007.
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Because a kitchen/bathroom refurbishment is counted as an improvement to the property, this results in a rent increase of approximately:
Depending on the annual rent review this amount may go up or down in the future. If tenants receive Housing Benefit, any potential rent increase may be covered by an increase in this benefit.
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The City Council will not refurbish the kitchens/bathrooms in properties where tenants have applied to purchase their homes under the ‘Right to Buy’ scheme. Where this is the case, tenants must advise Housing Services before any work starts to their kitchen/bathroom, or they will be charged for the cost of the works.
All the furnishings, materials and fitments in the new kitchens/bathrooms are selected for their high quality specification. They are also fitted to the highest standards. They will last a long time and provide many years of trouble free service so long as certain guidelines are followed:
Kitchens:
Cleaning
Use ordinary kitchen cleaners for the new worktops, units, sink and drainer. Avoid using strong bleaches, scourers or abrasive cleaners - these can damage and scratch surfaces, making it much more difficult for you to keep them clean and hygienic in future.
Protecting your kitchen
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Do not put hot pans directly on to the new kitchen worktops as this could damage them. Use suitable mats or boards to protect worktops from hot items.
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Do not stand on the worktops or drainer or allow children to swing on the cupboard doors. This could lead to potential accidents such as slips and falls as well as causing damage to the kitchen items.
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Do not paint the tiles, worktops or kitchen units as this could cause permanent damage to them. Tenants will have to pay the Council to put right any damage caused as a result of this.
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Do not make holes in the tiles, worktops or kitchen units. Holes made in these items are very difficult to fill in or cover up.
Bathrooms:
Cleaning
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Use ordinary bathroom cleaners for the new suite and tiles. Avoid using strong bleaches, scourers or abrasive cleaners. These can damage and scratch surfaces, making it much more difficult for you to keep them clean and hygienic in future.
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Clean the new flooring using ordinary non-abrasive floor cleaners.
Protecting your bathroom
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Do not stand on the toilet, hand basin or sides of the bath. This could lead to potential accidents such as slips and falls as well as causing damage to the bathroom items.
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Take care not to puncture or cut the all-in-one flooring. This may lead to water leaks that damage the timbers and the ceiling below.
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Do not paint the tiles or flooring. Paint will cause permanent damage to the surfaces. Tenants will have to pay the Council to put right any damage caused as a result of this.
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Protect the vinyl floor covering from sharp objects such as scissors or knives as these items can cause holes or tears in the flooring, resulting in potential water leaks into the room below.
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Protect the vinyl floor covering from hot objects such as cigarettes or hair straighteners as these may burn holes in the floor covering, resulting in potential water leaks into the room below.
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Do not seal or polish the floor covering.
- Do not have fitted carpets installed over the vinyl floor covering as this will cause damage to it. Loose carpets or rugs can be laid over the floor if required.
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Problems or complaints
If tenants have any problems or complaints with their new kitchen or bathroom (for example with the plumbing, new units, tiling and so on); they should contact our Tenants' Advice and Repairs Service on 0116 252 7007.
