Improvement schemes

The Housing Executive carries out improvement schemes to maintain properties in good repair and modernise older houses. You may get compensation if you are disturbed 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 maintain properties in good repair and modernise older houses. As part of an improvement scheme the Housing Executive may:

install central heating,
rewire your home,
modernise your 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 tenant's 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. For example:

another Housing Executive house,
a mobile home.

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 will try to complete the improvements within 12 weeks. If you are out of your home for more than 12 weeks you should get compensation. You should get £28 per week if you have to spend more than 12 weeks in alternative accommodation. There is a limit of £280 compensation.

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

Most tenants will get £229 compensation. You will usually get £96 when you leave your home and £133 when you return home.

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

You can get a special rate of compensation if you moved into private rented accommodation, or moved in with friends. The amount of compensation available depends on the size of your family.

one to two people - £83 per week,
three to seven people - £98 per week,
eight or more people - £117 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 £110 compensation if the disruption lasts between 6 and 14 days. You can then get an extra £28 per week for another four weeks. There is a limit of £222 compensation.

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