South Shropshire Housing Association - Tenants' Improvement Charter

Tenants' Improvement Charter

We want our you to be proud of your home, so this policy gives you the ability to improve your homes as long as certain criteria are met.

The basic principle of the ‘Tenants Improvement Charter’ is that you can arrange to have work done to improve your property with half the cost covered by South Shropshire Housing Association (SSHA) and half the cost covered by you as the tenant. Tenants are eligible to apply to Just Credit Union for a loan to cover half of the cost of the improvements.

SSHA will allocate £500,000 towards this policy over the life of our asset management plan. Any project that adds value to the property will be considered under this charter, up to a maximum value of £10,000. This work can be as little as an outside tap, through to a large extension project. Any large or complex project will require technical approval such as off road parking. Exceptional projects are acceptable if they have received the consent from the Head of Property and the Head of Housing and Support. We will take into account the impact of the project on your local environment.

You are eligible for this scheme if you meet the following criteria:

You are not in arrears with your rent, service charge or any other debt to SSHA.
You have maintained an excellent rent, service charge, other debt payment relationship with SSHA for 3 years; this does not mean that your have never had rent arrears but you have in partnership with your Neighbourhood Services Officer dealt with the debt sensibly.
Your household has not been involved in any anti-social behaviour during the last 3 years, or for the term of your tenancy if less than 3 years.
You have maintained the internal decoration of your property to an acceptable standard.
You have maintained the external gardens of your property to an acceptable standard.
You have never undertaken structural or major alterations to your property without the written consent of SSHA.

Your Neighbourhood Services Officer will be your contact throughout the process and they will decide on your eligibility. Any appeal against decisions they make will be dealt with through the complaints procedure.

For more information please contact your Neighbourhood Services Officer.