Erimus Housing aims to deliver a major programme of modernisation and improvement, to provide all tenants with housing that is first choice for rented accomodation, in Middlesbrough.

An estimated five-year, £103m repair and improvement programme will ensure that tenants' homes meet the Government’s Decent Homes target by 2010. The Tenant Offer document outlined a menu of improvement 'promises' during the first five years after transfer. These being:

• To meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard by 2010.
• To give tenants a wide choice of products.
• To spend an estimated £103m on repairs, modernisation and improvements in the first five years.

A 15% stock condition survey of the houses was completed in 2003 and this was used to formulate a five year improvement plan. Two external contractors, Dunelm Property Services (DPS) and ROK have been appointed, and work with Erimus Building Services (EBS) to complete the work.

The fifth year of the investment programme is already underway, and the address list is in the Investment Programme section on this website. Subsequent programmes and address lists will appear as soon as they have been confirmed and agreed. People living in these homes will also be notified by letter, and informed who will be working on their houses. Information is updated regularly as it happens, and will be communicated by letter, local meetings and be posted on this website.

What is A Decent Home? Guidance for Implementation

1. It meets the current statutory minimum standard for housing.

Fitness Standard

• Be free from serious disrepair
• Structurally stable
• Be free from dampness prejudicial to the health of the occupants
• Have adequate provision for lighting, heating and ventilation
• Wholesome water supply
• Effective system for drainage
• Suitably located WC (for the exclusive use of the occupants)
• Have a bath or shower and wash-hand basin, with hot and cold water
• Satisfactory facilities for the preparation and cooking of food (including a sink)

2. It is in a reasonable state of repair

Key building components

The property will not meet the "Decent Homes" criteria if any one fail of the following elements fail:

• External walls
• Roof Structure and covering
• Windows/doors
• Chimneys
• Central heating boilers
• Gas fires
• Storage heaters
• Electric supply

Other building components

The property will not meet the Decent Homes criteria if any two of the of the following elements fail:

• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Heating

3. It has reasonably modern facilities and services. The property will not meet the "Decent Homes" criteria if it lacks three or more of the following:

• A reasonably modern kitchen (20 years old or less)
• A kitchen with adequate space and layout
• A reasonably modern bathroom (30 years old or less)
• An appropriately located bathroom and WC
• Adequate insulation against external noise (where external noise is a problem)
• Adequate size and layout of common areas for blocks of flats

4. It provides a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

• Effective insulation
• Efficient heating