Issue - items at meetings - The Brighton & Hove Property Standard

40.1         The Sub Committee considered a report of the Executive Director Environment Development & Housing, on Brighton & Hove Property Standard. The report was presented by the Performance Manager, Property and Investment Team, Housing. The Chair confirmed the report had already been presented to the Area Panels.

40.2         Councillor Davey noted that tenants would have the choice of coloured tiles when a bathroom or kitchen was installed and asked if previously the only option was white tiles. Officers advised it was. Ms Hayes asked when the option to have coloured tiles would be agreed, and was advised it would be for the Housing Committee to decide at its meeting in March 2014. Mr Melson asked whether there would be an additional charge for tenants who selected colour tiles and was advised there wouldn’t be.

40.3         Mr Melson asked that consideration be given to extending flooring in kitchens to go from wall to wall and not just up to cabinets. If cabinets had to be removed the flooring would then have gaps. Officers advised that when installing a kitchen the base units could not be laid onto vinyl and therefore any flooring needed to be laid after the cabinets had been installed.

40.4         RESOLVED – That the Housing Management Consultative notes the following recommendations which will be considered by the Housing Committee at its meeting on 5 March 2014:

(1) That all residents be offered additional choice of coloured wall tiles, when having a kitchen or bathroom installed.

(2) That all residents be offered additional choice of kitchen cupboard doors and handles when having a new kitchen installed.

(3) That all individual sheltered homes with a street entrance be offered an external security light, when upgrading the electrics to that property.

(4) That all sheltered housing schemes with communal lounges have a hearing loop installed when upgrading electrics to communal areas.

(5) That a change in policy is agreed to allow tenants who have installed their own kitchen or bathroom to have the other room modernised by the council, if it is old or in disrepair (as per the age and condition requirements of the governments DHS).

(6) To run a six to twelve month pilot enabling all 1 bed ground floor flats that become empty and require a bathroom replacement, to be considered for the installation of a level access shower instead of a bath.