Major works investment programme

Welcome to the second update on our Major Works Investment Programme 2024/25.

We are committed to sharing news and updates with you at least every three months, as well as offering the opportunity to join customer engagement opportunities throughout the year. We are in the process of rolling out new replacement programmes which will cover a number of our rented homes. The homes identified with the greatest need will be prioritised.

We've been busy selecting contractors for replacement kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors. A huge thank you to Mel and Tracy, PCH residents who willingly gave up their time to take part and hold us to account in our robust contractor selection process. We will let you know which companies have been successful in our next update.

Beyond improving homes, the contracts will also include social value commitments, these will provide support to local community projects and generate new employment opportunities.

In the future, we will be bringing you resident experience updates based on the improvements that have been made to their homes.

Welcome to the first update on our Major Works Investment Programme 2024/25.

We are committed to sharing news and updates with you at least every three months, as well as offering the opportunity to join customer engagement opportunities throughout the year. We are in the process of rolling out new replacement programmes which will cover a number of our rented homes. The homes identified with the greatest need will be prioritised.

We are currently in the process of finding a contractor to install new kitchens in some of our rented homes. In April, we worked closely with a group of residents on the Invite to Tender (ITT). An Invite to Tender (ITT) is a formal document inviting contractors to bid on providing the works. Staff and trained residents will be evaluating the contractors' bids in June. Work on the selected homes is due to begin in Autumn 2024.

We are also currently in the process of finding a contractor to install new bathrooms in some of our rented homes. The Invite to Tender (ITT) is currently available for contractors to bid on. Staff and trained residents will be evaluating the contractors and their bids in late June. Work on the selected homes is due to begin in Autumn 2024.

Our own in-house electrical engineers have started a new electrical rewire programme to some of our rented homes. This is being completed in void properties but will be rolled out to occupied homes in the coming years.

There will be a window replacement programme for some of our rented homes. We are in the process of finding a contractor to provide this service with an Invite to Tender (ITT) available for contractors to bid on. We are expecting new installations to begin in Winter 2024.

We'll be in touch with you as soon as we have agreed plans with our appointed contractors and will let you know how this will impact you if your home is included.

In the meantime, we wanted to tell you a bit more about the programme and how we’ve been working with residents to plan ahead. In this update, we’ll share how we’ll make sure the programme focuses on quality, resident experience and delivering homes where people want to live.

Our delivery teams or our contractors will write to you once we’ve finished validating our programmes and contractors. This is currently still ongoing.

Once contracts have been agreed and if your home is included in this first year, we’ll write to you to let you know what to expect and when. As we develop the programme, we’ll continue to update you through our website. We’re sorry that this information isn’t available yet as we are finalising the plans for this year and next.

When we spoke to residents at the Customer Focus Committee in January 2024, they highlighted the importance of local information sharing, accountability and transparency.

The works are being funded from the income we receive from rent and service charges, which we set aside and recycle to carry out planned investment and improvement works.

In the future, we may receive funding from Government grants for energy efficiency works.

All areas of work where we need to replace the following are included in the programme:

• Internal works including kitchens, bathrooms, electrics, heating and doors
• External works including windows, roofs, external doors and works in communal areas
• Mechanical and electrical works including lifts, electrical rewires and fire systems

The contractors we appoint will carry out all building and fire safety works in accordance with the Act, any residents living within high rise buildings will be communicated with as per the specific building Resident Engagement Strategy. Where those works are extremely specialist in nature, we’ve reserved the right to seek additional specialist contractors.

The Decent Homes Standard sets the minimum standard for social housing in England and Northern Ireland (excluding shared ownership or leasehold properties). If your home does not meet the standard, then Plymouth Community Homes is required to act.

The Decent Homes Standard is made up of four parts:

It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing

This means that if your home has any serious hazards, it will not meet the standard. This covers things that are written into law as hazards such as damp and mould, trip and fall hazards, excessive cold, and fire risks.

It is in a reasonable state of repair

This means that if your home has parts that need replacing or major repairs, it will not meet the standard. This covers parts of the building (roofs, chimneys, windows, doors, walls) as well as internal amenities (kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems).

It has reasonably modern facilities and services

This means that if your home has older amenities that are not fit for modern living, it will not meet the standard. This covers things like the space and layout of kitchens and bathrooms, adequate sound insulation, and the location of bathrooms and toilets.

It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

This means that if your home has inadequate insulation or heating, it will not meet the standard. This covers things like loft insulation, external or cavity wall insulation, double glazing, and efficient gas or electric heating.

What are Plymouth Community Homes doing to ensure homes are of a decent standard?

Plymouth Community Homes has a surveying strategy to monitor the condition of our homes. The Stock Condition Survey team assess the condition of our homes on a rolling basis, with a service level agreement to survey all homes every 5 years. By monitoring the condition of the outside of our homes, and internal facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms, we gain valuable information that can help shape our investment plan and ensure we keep our homes decent.

The investment plan is designed with the Decent Homes Standard in mind. The plan contains:

• Maintenance and repair programmes to keep our homes in a decent condition
• Refurbishment programmes that are aimed at modernising energy efficiency measures to keep up with developments in this sector
• Renewal programmes to ensure all of our homes components are of a reasonably modern standard

If you are contacted by our Stock Condition Survey team, please allow them to conduct a survey at your home.

Where can I get more information?

If you believe your home does not meet the Decent Homes Standard please email asset.datateam@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk to notify us. In most cases we will arrange a survey to assess your concerns. If your home does not meet the standards outlined above, we will take steps to improve the condition of your home.

Over the course of the next two years, Plymouth Community Homes plans to ensure we have a recent survey for all our properties, to make sure all of our homes are up to standard. If you are contacted by our Stock Condition Survey team, please allow them to conduct a survey at your home.

For more information on the Decent Homes Standard, please read the government advice and guidance here.