Have some pride!

Work in progress before and after: Tenant Kath Tong (front) checks work with Ann-Marie Wilkinson, tenant participation officer and Kevin Horsley, Surveyor

Cleaning up after the tenants who leave their council homes in a state of disrepair when they move out

Kitchens virtually ripped out, and doors and walls kicked in.
These are just some of the problems left behind in a small number of empty council properties after they've been vacated by tenants.
"Some of the worst properties can cost as much as £10,000 to put right - and that's money which could be spent on other services," says Kath Tong, chair of a tenants' group which helps to make sure properties are relet to tenants in an acceptable manner.
"It really opens your eyes to see the state some people leave council properties in," adds Kath, who has been a council tenant herself since 1969.
"It's my home, but I accept I don't own it.
We should all be proud and look after our properties - it's as much our responsibility as the council's.
"Leaving houses in a bad state affects me, you and everyone - it costs us all."
The tenants' group - the Empty Homes & Lettings Service Improvement Group - helps ensure all properties meet the council's Lettable Standard before they are relet.
John Hocking, Director of Housing, said " We are planning to review the Council's recharge policy with the Service Improvement Group to look at ways to increase penalties for tenants who damage their homes." The group is now appealing for more members, so it can expand its work in the city.
Every month members of the group travel around, visiting dozens of homes which have been left in a poor state.
They also visit properties which have been repaired - to make sure they're up to the council's Lettable Standard (a standard which has been developed by tenants themselves).
Their role is to check things are in place like light switches and smoke alarms, but also to make sure the walls are in good condition and fit to receive decoration by the new tenants.
A copy of their checklist is left for each new person moving in, along with a questionnaire, which the group urges people to return to them, as feedback helps develop the checking process further.
"We have a dedicated, brilliant group. We work hard, but do have fun at the same time. We work very closely with officers and surveyors and it is a team effort getting these properties right," says Betty Peck, another member of the group.
"It gives us enormous satisfaction to see the process from start to finish, and I would really like to see more people getting involved with this worthwhile project."

Gas with class

Left to right: Paul Cromack, specialist services manager; Jean Thorley, tenant member of repairs & maintenance service improvement group; Peter Finney, gas maintenance engineer; and Brian Steels, senior gas maintenance officer.

Hull is one of only a handful of councils in the country to receive special praise for the high standards of its gas servicing.

The Council's Building Services Gas Management team have been awarded CORGI Certification, a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) backed quality award. The CORGI organisation drives up gas safety standards across the country.
The award recognises the team's commitment to safety and high standards when working in thousands of tenants' homes across the city. It also means that a new quality mark logo can be displayed on council stationery.
CORGI's business development manager, Keith Chambers, said: "This is a significant achievement for Hull City Council's Building Services gas team, as it's testament to their overall approach to gas safety.
"As well as the legal requirements of CORGI registration for the gas work itself, the team has put in place support systems and procedures which all contribute to safety and excellence within the gas industry."
Meanwhile, the chair of a Hull tenants' group has now nominated the gas team for the CORGI National Gas Safety Initiative Award. Walter Jackson, Chair of the Repairs and Maintenance Service Improvement Group, said: "The service has greatly improved and that's why I've put the team forward for the award - because I feel they deserve it."
"The gas team have been put under a microscope by CORGI to get their well-deserved certification," added Jean Thorley, another member of the group.