Aire Valley Homes Tenants and Home Owners Share Christmas Cheer With the Refurbishment of 92 Properties

Published by JenCooke for National Federation of ALMOs in Housing and also in Communities

Aire Valley Homes’ residents in Whinmoor, Leeds, have been given an early Christmas present as extensive work nears completion on 92 ‘5M’s’ type homes on Coal Road. This brings 74 Aire Valley Homes in-line with the Government’s Decent Home standard and improves 18 private homes of the same property type.

Aire Valley Homes, the arms-length management organisation (ALMO) which manages over 15,000 homes in South and South East Leeds, completed a first phase of refurbishment of 32 ‘5M’ properties on the same estate in 2005. The ‘5M’s’ building design became available for construction in 1963 and consists of a flat roof construction with a lightweight steel frame, internal drainage and limited thermal insulation.

The second phase of work on the remaining 74 Aire Valley Homes commenced in March 2009 after a consultation exercise in April 2007 and, thanks to the work of partnering contractors Keepmoat PLC, is due to finish before Christmas 2009. The scheme was also open to all owner occupiers on Coal Road, of which 18 took up the opportunity.

It was agreed the best option for refurbishment included the upgrade to a water tight flat roof system, high security doors and measures to reduce energy wastage including a wall insulation system and upvc double glazing. The internal refurbishment consisted of a whole house rewire and new kitchens, bathrooms and boilers where existing equipment in the Council-owned homes failed the Decent Homes standard. The project will work greatly towards increasing residents’ standard of living.

Jane Greenwood, Investment Manager at Aire Valley Homes, said: “We are delighted with the standard of the work we have arranged for our tenants and the private owners in Whinmoor. It will make a great Christmas present for them to have their homes refurbished in time for the seasonal festivities.

“One of Aire Valley Homes’ primary functions is to upgrade its existing stock to the Decent Homes standard and this work means we are well on the way to completing this. Upgrading these homes means more than just making the tenants comfortable, it gives the whole area a new lease of life, attracting new residents, both private and rented, and improves everyone’s pride in the area hopefully reducing the instances of anti-social behaviour.”

Mrs McNaught, a resident of Coal Road, said: “I was treated with the upmost respect, as was my home, during the extensive work done to my house. I am particularly pleased with my kitchen and bathroom which are both finished to a very high standard. My gas bills have been reduced by two thirds and my electricity bills by a third.”

The Government assigns funding to ALMOs to upgrade their properties to the Decent Homes standard. In order to be decent, a home should be warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities. Decent homes are important for the health and well-being of those living in them, and in turn, boosts the local community by reinstating residents pride in an estate.

Aire Valley Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation and an independent company charged with the management of over 15,000 homes in South and South East Leeds on behalf of Leeds City Council. Its responsibilities include repairs and maintenance, rent collection, letting and tenancy administration. It is one of 70 such organisations across the country.