Consulting you on major works

Deciding what is necessary when carrying out major works

Your lease determines what can or cannot be carried out to a building. We will ensure any works undertaken are necessary following a stock condition survey or if it has been determined by one of our officers.

There are circumstances that we will have to consult all leaseholders to comment on the scope of the works prior to authorising the work.

Future major works

The scope of the current works reflects the agreed range of the Better Homes programme. This does not include all elements of the building or cyclical works and some items may be dealt with in a separate programme.  For any further works you will be formally consulted.

Necessity of scaffolding

Scaffolding is required because contractors will be working at height and must satisfy health and safety requirements. The scaffolding is a fixed cost item and will not cost more if it is not removed immediately.

Roof replacements

We are only replacing flat roofs identified as in need of attention following a detailed survey to find those that were beyond the level of economic repair that would ensure they remain weather tight.

Entry phone systems

Entry phones are not being installed as part of the Better Homes programme. The installation of entry phones is desirable in many locations and that there is a significant demand for them. We have committed to spend around £2m on wider improvements to estates and entry phones would fall into that category.

However, we will need to plan the programme of those environmental works as there will be extensive demand from a number of estates and we need to ensure that resources are allocated fairly. Also, we will not know exactly what resources will be available for these works until after the tenders are returned for the rest of the programme; up until September 2016.

Replacing windows and doors

We will no longer offer deeds of variation in respect of windows and doors in order to ensure that blocks remain uniform in appearance and meet fire safety standards, to enable us to recover all the costs and to avoid maintenance risks to blocks if leaseholders choose not to replace their windows and doors.

Replacement of asbestos roofs and doors

Asbestos roofs and doors will be replaced with a non-asbestos material.

External work and access to the property

Where the works include windows and doors, access will be required to the property. We will give you as much notice as possible of when access is required once the contractors have agreed their work schedule.

Decked balconies

In order to assess the condition of the asphalt covering of balconies we will need to remove any decking.