Property improvement and our Decent Homes programme
Raven's Asset Management team ensures that residents' homes are maintained and improved. A large part of the team's work is making sure our homes meet the Decent Homes Standard.
What is the Decent Home Standard?
It is a minimum standard set by Government that all social housing must meet. All housing providers must ensure their homes meet the standard by the end of 2010. It applies to general and sheltered housing, but not to hostels or reception centres.
A 'Decent Home' is defined as one that is wind and weather tight, warm and has reasonably modern facilities. This means that a home must meet the following criteria:
- It must have adequate insulation in the loft and external walls
- Its kitchen must be 20 years old or less
- It has an indoor bathroom which is 30 years old or less
- The home must be wind and weather tight
- It must be rewired every 30 years
- It must have a reasonable degree of thermal comfort.
Residents’ own improvements
Raven tenants can carry out many types of improvements to their homes themselve, but before you do any work you must get written permission from Raven.
You must also get any other permissions that may be needed, such as planning permission or building regulations approval from the council. In some circumstances you can claim compensation for some of what you have spent on certain homes improvements when you move out of your home.
You may also be able to make your home more suitable for someone with a disability who lives with you. A grant may be available from the council.
Click here (0.263MB) 
for more information on improvements, adaptations and compensation for home improvements.