Planned Improvements

Safe, Well-Maintained and Comfortable Homes

We want every North Star home to be safe, well-maintained, and comfortable.
To make sure we invest wisely, we run a continuous programme of stock condition surveys and planned home improvements across all our homes.

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How We Plan Improvements

We regularly inspect our homes to understand their condition and decide where investment is needed.
Our surveys look at roofs, kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, windows, and insulation. This information helps us plan ahead and prioritise improvements.

We take account of:

• The age and condition of the home and its key components

• Health and safety priorities

• Customer feedback and satisfaction

• Energy performance and environmental impact

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Planned Home Improvements

Each year, we invest millions of pounds improving homes. This includes:

• Installing new kitchens and bathrooms when they reach the end of their life

• Replacing boilers and heating systems to keep homes warm and efficient

• Renewing windows, doors, and roofs to improve comfort and reduce running costs

• Carrying out environmental improvements such as paths, fencing, and communal spaces

We’ll always write to you before any planned work begins, explain what’s happening, and provide contact details if you need support.

Work is scheduled by area and based on component replacement dates recorded in our stock condition surveys. We aim to complete all work quickly and efficiently.

Examples of work include:

• Kitchens and bathrooms – replaced within 10 working days by ESH Living. You can choose from our range of materials and colours:

Kitchen Cabinetry and Worktop Choices

Kitchen and Bathroom Tiling Choices

Kitchen and Bathroom Flooring Choices

• Heating upgrades – completed within 1–2 working days by 0800 Repair

• Windows, doors, and roof replacements

• External works (fencing, paths, walls, pointing) – carried out by Buildroute Ltd

• Energy efficiency works (loft and cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation) – completed by Align Property Partners

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Stock Condition Surveys

A stock condition survey is a visual inspection of your home, inside and out, carried out roughly every five years by a trained North Star surveyor. It usually takes under an hour.

During the survey, the surveyor will:

• Assess the age and condition of major components

• Take photographs of relevant areas (not personal belongings)

• Ask about any ongoing issues

These surveys help us:

• Ensure homes meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard

• Plan future repairs and improvements

• Manage long-term investment and maintenance

• Meet new legal requirements, such as Awaab’s Law

• Support our Net Zero 2050 target

Surveyors always carry identification and attend at an agreed appointment time.