In 2001 the Government set a minimum criteria of repair for social housing to meet the Decent Homes standard. A Decent Home is one which is wind, warm and weathertight and has reasonable modern facilities. The criteria for meeting decent homes standard is as follows:
1. Fitness for Habitation
2. Reasonable state of repair
3. Modern Facilities
4. Reasonable Degree of Thermal Comfort
Over the past 5 years we have been bringing our properties up to standard by making improvements to kitchens and bathrooms, installing new boilers, improving the external and internal fabric of our properties. We have also been installing double glazing and central heating. We still have a lot more work to do before 2010 which involves completing thermal insulation to our houses and undertaking structural repairs to three 1920's properties in Leeds 7 and one propertyof a similar age in Leeds 6.
Cost of the Decent Homes Programme
So far, the costs of bringing our properties up to standard has been adequately met. This is largely due to competitive quotes from contractors and LATCH's in-house skills in construction and repairs work.
However, covering the costs of impending major structural repairs to the 4 properties already mentioned will need to be addressed before the programme can be completed.