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Decoration and Disturbance Allowance
We will consider paying you a disturbance allowance if:
- we need you to move out of your home for us to do repairs; or
- you stay in your home and you have a major disturbance because of certain types of repairs. This may include the cost of storing carpets, furniture etc..
We will agree any disturbance allowance payment with you.
We will pay you compensation for decorations that are damaged when we carry out certain improvements to your home. For example;
- central heating replacements,
- re-wires,
- damp-proofing, and so on.
We do not usually pay compensation for decoration when you have minor repairs. If we damage your decorations through negligence while carrying out minor repairs we, or our contractors, may be responsible for paying you compensation.
If we are carrying out major repairs or replacements in your home, we will tell you if you are likely to qualify for decoration or disturbance allowance. We will tell you how we work out what payments you are likely to receive. In most cases we will tell you before we start any work if you qualify for a disturbance payment. We will also give you a helpline number which will be the direct number of the officer who is looking after your improvement or repair.
Decoration Allowance
These will be assessed on a room by room, surface by surface basis and there is a standard proforma used to calculate allowances. For example, it may be that you have had works carried out in a room where all four walls are affected and you will be compensated accordingly. However, it may be that the decoration damage is restricted to a single wall or ceiling and the compensation will be calculated accordingly.
Assisted Decoration
It may be that you are unable to carry out the re-decoration of your property yourself. Tenants are able to claim for assistance with redecoration if they are unable to redecorate for themselves because:
- All members of the household are of pensionable age/frail/vulnerable or
- All members of the household have mobility/mental health issues and
- Are in receipt of Disability Living or Attendance Allowance and
- Have no family or friends willing to assist with the redecoration.
If you qualify for assistance, it is necessary to obtain two written quotations on headed paper for the works which include labour and material costs. Berneslai Homes staff may be able to assist you with this process. A quotation will be accepted if it represents value for money. Following the acceptance of a “value for money” quote, the responsible officer can authorise you to arrange for the contractor to undertake the works. You will have the responsibility for paying the contractor and ensuring the works are carried out satisfactorily. Berneslai Homes will then arrange to reimburse you once the works have been completed and an invoice obtained.
Damage by contractors
If you have had a repair carried out and our contractors have caused some damage, just contact the Repairs Hotline on 01226 787878. The Repairs Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If we, or any of our contractors damage any of your decorations or property, please let us know.
Make a note of the following details;
- date,
- type of repair/works,
- exact location of the damage,
- operative's name,
- name of the contractor; and, if possible,
- photos of the damage.
We will contact the contractor who carried out the repair and ask them to assess whether they need to compensate you or put right any damage. We may need you to complete an insurance claim form.
Methods of payment available
If we agree to pay you a decoration allowance we will send you a cheque. If you owe us any money, for example rent arrears, we will take the amount you owe from your allowance.
Location/Opening Times
Your local Barnsley Connects Office is open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00pm. You can phone them on 01226 775555.
For general information or if you have had a repair completed and you think you are entitled to a disturbance payment please contact us on the number above.
Leaflets
You can download the following leaflets:
Alternatively, all leaflets are available from your local Barnsley Connects Office.
Or, if you want us to send you a copy of any leaflet in the post please e-mail us at CustomerServices@berneslaihomes.co.uk
Legislation
Your rights as a council tenant are covered by the following legislation:
- Housing Act 1985.
- Housing Act 1996.
Response Times/Next Steps
We will pay you a disturbance payment or a redecoration allowance within 2 weeks of agreeing to the payment or you returning to your permanent home.
We cannot guarantee how long it will take us to assess an insurance claim, as this is something our insurance company carries out on our behalf. We can guarantee that we will submit any insurance claim that you make within 10 working days of you making the claim.
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