Improvement schemes

The Housing Executive carries out improvement schemes to maintain properties in good repair and update older houses. You may get compensation if you have to move out during the improvements.

You should be consulted about any improvement schemes. The Housing Executive should provide alternative accommodation if you have to move out while your home is being improved. Contact your Housing Executive District Office for more information on an improvement scheme.

What happens during an improvement scheme?

The Housing Executive carries out improvement schemes to keep properties in good repair and update older houses. As part of an improvement scheme the Housing Executive may:

install central heating,
rewire your home,
update your old kitchen,
change flat roofs to pitched roofs.

The Housing Executive will contact you before starting the improvement scheme. The Housing Executive will:

explain what type of work will be carried out,
explain how long the work should take,
listen to tenants' views on the improvement scheme.

Can I stay in my home during the improvement scheme?

You may be able to stay in your home depending on the type of work to be carried out. If you can't stay in your home the Housing Executive should offer you alternative accommodation.This will usually be another Housing Executive property but in very rare occasions may be a mobile home.

If the Housing Executive is unable to offer you alternative accommodation you can choose to stay with family or friends and you will be paid a special allowance for this inconvenience. Your family or friends' benefit claims won't be affected while you're staying with them as you and your household will be treated as visitors rather than non-dependants.

Once the work has been completed you can move back into your home. You may be entitled to compensation if you had to move out of your property.

How long will I have to stay out of my home?

The Housing Executive should finish the work within 12 weeks. If you are out of your home for more than 12 weeks you should get compensation. You should get £33 per week for every week you have to spend in temporary accommodation once the initial 12 week period has ended. The maximum amount that can be paid out in compensation is £330 but the Housing Executive can make a decision to pay more depending on the circumstances.

How much compensation is available if I have to leave my home?

Most tenants will get £265 compensation. You will usually get £111 when you leave your home and £154 when you return home.

Compensation if you didn't move into Housing Executive accommodation?

If the Housing Executive wasn't able to find you temporary accommodation and you had to move in with friends or family or into private rented accommodation you should get an extra allowance. The amount you'll get depends on the size of your household.

one to two people - £96 per week,
three to seven people - £114 per week,
eight or more people - £136 per week.

If you've had to move into a caravan or a mobile home you should get £220 per week.

Will I get compensation if I didn't move out of my accommodation?

You may get compensation if:

the work lasted for more than six days,
the work caused serious disruption. For example, you couldn't use your kitchen or bedroom.

You can get £128 compensation if the disruption lasts between 6 and 14 days. You can then get an extra £33 per week for another four weeks.

You may be able to get help from the Housing Executive to redecorate your accommodation after the improvements have been completed.

Stock transfer Programme

In recent years the Housing Executive's budget for repairs and maintenance has decreased. Over the next year or two the Housing Executive may try to transfer some of the properties that it currently owns to Housing Associations to manage. This is usually because the properties require lots of improvement work which the Housing Executive can't afford to do. If the stock transfer goes ahead the Housing Association will carry out improvements to the properties.

If your development is selected for a Stock Transfer you should be notified of this plan. Tenants will have to vote to accept or reject the proposal and will be able to access information on how the change could affect them.