Decoration Allowance Policy - Section 8
8. Assistance to Decorate
8.1 Where a tenant indicates that they will have difficulty carrying out decoration works themselves because of a disability, or physical or mental impairment, the Council will, in exceptional circumstances, offer a decoration service.
8.2 The Council's decoration service is available as an alternative to the decoration allowance and is only available for rooms which have been previously identified as requiring a decoration allowance during a void inspection (see Section 7 and the Void Management Policy).
8.3 The Council's decoration service will take the form of application of emulsion paint from a limited choice of colours to walls, and white gloss paint to skirtings, fascias, doors and so on. The Council will not apply a tenant's own wallcoverings and will not lay floorcoverings.
8.4 To qualify for this service the tenant(s) must:
- have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities (see Para 5.6), AND;
- be in receipt of benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Disabled Person's Tax Credit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Attendance Allowance or other similar benefits to persons with physical impairments. Tenants will be required to verify receipt of benefits by showing their Award Letter, payment book and so on, OR;
- be registered blind, OR;
- have special social or medical reasons to have the decoration work undertaken by the Council. The Council will use its discretion to establish eligibility on this ground. Verification may be requested from a GP, Social Worker, Housing Support Provider or other appropriate professional, but may not be required where evidence is clearly visible. AND;
- have no adult member of the household who could reasonably be expected to carry out the work, AND;
- have no family members who could reasonably be expected to carry out the work. The Council will use its discretion to establish eligibility on this ground.
8.5 Tenants who qualify for, and wish to use this service must agree that their tenancy will begin on the same date as it would have if they were receiving the decoration allowance. Tenants will be expected to allow the Council contractor access to the property to carry out the decoration works. Tenants will be expected to move their personal possessions, as far as possible, especially ornaments, and other fragile or valuable items in preparation for the decoration works.
8.6 Tenants who qualify for, and wish to use this service should access it through their Area Housing Officer.
View Section 9 - Decoration Allowances Following Repair Work