Durham City Homes today announced the completion of the first of their properties to have work carried out to the new, higher specification, Durham Standard.
The Durham Standard, which was developed in partnership with tenants, means that as of April 2015, homes that require modernisation works will be upgraded to a new specification, with additions including flooring and decorating to the bathroom and kitchen and both gas and electrical cooker points in the kitchen. This exceeds the criteria of the Government’s Decent Homes Standard introduced in 2000 and means tenants will receive the highest standard of planned improvements work than ever delivered by Durham City Homes before.
The standard will also ensure consistent refurbishments across the other County Durham Housing Group landlords, Dale and Valley Homes and East Durham Homes, bringing best practise from all three organisations to provide the highest quality services and products possible to tenants.
Lynn Jordison Chair of Durham City Homes Board said “This is great news for the tenants of Durham City Homes. We want to provide houses that people are proud to live in and that’s exactly what these improvements will achieve.
“But the Durham standard is just one of the positive changes that Durham City Homes is making as a result of stock transfer. We are committed to fulfilling our promises to tenants and this shows the great things that are to come.”
The Durham Standard specification will be applied to all homes planned in the capital works programme as of April 2015.
For more information on the Durham Standard please contact Tony Jones, Technical Manager at Durham City Homes on 0800 068 0013/ 0191 301 8470.