Kier North Tyneside encourages residents to take ownership of their homes

Four years ago, local authorities were challenged to ensure their council properties met the Decent Homes standard by 2010. Since then 8,359 properties in North Tyneside have benefited from a £150m investment. The Decent Homes programme dictates that homes must be wind and watertight, and have decent facilities including modern bathroom and kitchen amenities. In total, the work included fitting 8,677 kitchens and bathrooms, 8,239 windows and doors and 7,801 heaters, as well as 920 roofs being replaced or fixed.

Throughout 2011 Kier North Tyneside is carrying out improvements to properties across North Tyneside to maintain standards implemented by the Government’s Decent Homes programme, which was completed in the area at the end of last year.

Colour schemes, materials and designs – all vital decisions to be made when upgrading your home’s interior, which is why Kier Building Maintenance and North Tyneside Council have joined forces to host an open day inviting social housing tenants to select the options available during planned improvements to their homes.

The open day, held last month at Howdon Community Centre, was run by Kier North Tyneside, a partnership between North Tyneside Council and Kier Building Maintenance. Attendees were encouraged to give their opinions on the materials and products available to them including fire places, radiators, wall and floor tiles, kitchen cabinets, doors and windows.

Suppliers including Cathedral Fires, Sekura Doors and Windows, Symphony Kitchens, Warmzone and CDT - which provides wall tiles - were also on hand to answer any tenant questions.

Kier North Tyneside regional director, Mike Furze, said: “We encourage our residents to take ownership of their homes, look after them and enjoy them. By giving them a choice of materials and fittings we hope that this will encourage them to do this for many years to come. The exhibition gave us the chance to meet with members of the community and listen to their requests and queries.”

Ian Conway, head of North Tyneside Homes, added: “It’s extremely important that tenants choose the fittings and fixtures that are to be used in their homes. We are delighted that so many people attended the exhibition as this will help us ensure we deliver the home improvements that they really want.”

A customer liaison officer was on hand at the exhibition to answer questions from residents about repairs and maintenance.