Private Sector Housing

Home Improvement Zones

We introduced a Home Improvements Zone on the Rylands Estate to help homeowners make sure that their property was safe and secure.

The Home Improvement Team worked in these zones and offered specialist housing and maintenance advice to homeowners.

The work at Rylands is now complete.

Free survey

Your Home Improvement Officer will be able to carry out a survey of your home. They will be able to tell you if your home comes up to a certain level that the government has called the 'decent standard'. If it does not, they will be able to advise you on what to do next.

Schedule of work

The Home Improvement Officer will be able to set out a schedule of work. This is a list of the repair work needed to bring your property up to a reasonable standard. They will also produce a rough estimate of what they think the work will cost. This will provide you with a useful comparison to use if you decide to employ a builder.

List of builders

If you do decide to carry out work to your property, the Home Improvement Officer will be able to give you a list of builders and tradespeople who have signed up to our code of conduct.

Sample contracts

If you are worried about making a contract with a builder, the Home Improvement Officer will be able to give you a sample contract that sets out the basics of a good building contract.

Help during the work

If you are having work done to bring your home up to the decent standard, the Home Improvement Officer will be on hand to offer advice whenever necessary. They will also come and inspect the work to make sure it is being carried out to an acceptable standard.

Security advice

Home security is a very important issue and your Home Improvement Officer will be able to offer some basic tips on this as well as checking that your home is secure. If you are in a vulnerable situation, the Home Improvement Officer may refer you to a specialist agency.

Advice on energy efficiency

We have made energy efficiency a high priority. Your Home Improvement Officer will be able to give you advice on how to make your home more energy-efficient. In some cases, they may refer you to our Energy Efficiency Team for help.

Home improvement grants

Depending on your financial situation, you may be eligible for a home improvement grant. This is a grant of £500 to help you organise your finances so you can afford to carry out work to your property. You would not have to repay this grant. You may also be eligible for the standard grants offered across the borough for home improvements.

Equity release scheme

Some homeowners in the area may be eligible for the 'House Proud' scheme. Your Home Improvement Officer will be able to tell you about this scheme and refer you if you are eligible.

If you want to make an appointment for a Home Improvement Officer to come and discuss your needs, please contact Barking and Dagenham Direct.

Map of the Rylands Estate, Dagenham

Contact

Private Sector Housing Team

Roycraft House

15 Linton Road

Barking

IG11 8HE

Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3002

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Textphone: 020 8227 5755

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm.