Before council home upgrades

We will write to you in good time before the start of the contract period in which your home is due for an upgrade. We will send you further information and ask you to look at our guide to all upgrades that tells you what’s involved and what you need to do.

If, when you get our letter, you are worried about coping with the level of disturbance, please contact us immediately and ask for the Stock Condition Surveyor for your area.

We may be able to provide you with assistance and support to help you prepare your home for the works and manage during the works to minimise any disturbance to you.

We want you to live in a home to be proud of, a high-quality home that is energy efficient, healthy, safe and secure. This is only possible with your cooperation, and this is why we do not want any tenant to refuse their upgrades.

The council's Property Services are project managing the HIP for Housing and they will let you know the name of your contractor once they have appointed them. This main contractor, or their subcontractors will carry out the works while you remain in your home.

If you are due more than one upgrade then some, like windows and doors and kitchens and bathrooms, may be grouped together and done by the same contractor. However, other upgrades might be carried out by different contractors so, to complete all your upgrades. you may be contacted by more than one contractor.

Surveys and tenant choices

A survey will be needed of your home to find out exactly what work is required to complete the upgrade, and to prepare the necessary design drawings. The survey will be done by the council or the contractors. Please ask the surveyor for their identity card before letting them in. 

If you are getting a new kitchen, we will offer you a choice of worktops, kitchen units and vinyl floor coverings. If you are getting a new bathroom, we will offer you a choice of vinyl floor coverings and wall panelling. If you are getting a new door, you can choose from a range of different designs.

The surveyor will find out if you might benefit from being assessed by a Housing Occupational Therapist (OT) who can then advise if you need any adaptations as part of the upgrade. For example, if you have a disability or long-term medical condition, we may modify the design or layout to adapt the upgrades to your needs.

If you are not in at that time and the contractor is unable to do the survey, they will leave you a note asking you to contact them to make a new appointment. 

A different contractor may need to do an asbestos survey to make sure that your home complies with the current regulations. Doing this survey doesn’t necessarily mean that your home contains asbestos.

New electric meters

For some heating upgrades you may be told that you need to apply for a new electric meter. The tenant guide has more information. 

Please note that there could be a long wait to get your meter installed, and your supplied may charge you for the new meter. Your supplier will be able to advise you further when you apply. 

Zero Tolerance Policy

The council, and our contractors, are committed to a policy of Zero Tolerance of aggression towards our employees. Conversations and visits with you will be terminated if the employee, dealing with you, believes that you were acting in a manner that humiliated, frightened or made them or a colleague feel unsafe or vulnerable. We recognise that problems arise from only a small minority of individuals. Often situations arise for genuine reasons and these must be resolved quickly, professionally and sensitively for all concerned. Please help us by considering the feelings of the employees that are working with you or, unfortunately, it may not be possible for us to upgrade your home.

No Smoking Policy

In line with Scottish legislation that guarantees people a smoke free work environment we cannot expect our staff and contractors to work in the homes of service users, or in communal areas, where they are exposed to tobacco smoke. 

Although electronic cigarettes (vapes) are not covered by the legislation, they are considered the same as tobacco cigarettes in terms of Aberdeenshire Council’s Smoking Policy. It is currently unclear what the medium and long-term health impacts are on people who actively or passively inhale nicotine or non-nicotine vapour.

It is therefore asked that you, other household members and visitors do not smoke, or vape nicotine or non-nicotine e-liquids, while a member of our staff or contractors are present. We would also appreciate if your home could be smoke and vapour free prior to your planned visit, and that the area where our staff or contractors will be located is adequately ventilated. 

Should you not be able to provide this courtesy our staff or contractors have the right to leave your home. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.