decoration and disturbance allowances

Decoration allowance

If you are a tenant, we may offer you a decoration allowance in one of the following cases:

• After we have inspected the property, and before you move in
• If we have damaged your existing decorating (for example, paint work or wallpaper) when carrying out repairs
• If you are elderly or disabled and you have opted for an allowance to do your own decorating as part of the decorations programme.

There is no application form for a decoration allowance. Our surveyor will decide whether to offer you an allowance, once he/she has inspected your property, and will calculate the allowance on a room by room basis for empty properties, and a wall by wall or room by room basis following repairs. If we are paying you a decoration allowance following repairs we will give you a cheque. If we are giving you a decoration allowance because you have moved into an empty property you can choose to have the allowance paid to you by voucher or cheque.

By voucher

You can exchange vouchers for goods at the Homebase store in New Southgate (click the link below to visit the Homebase website). You can only use them for decorating materials. Please note that:

• you have to spend them in one trip
• they must be used within six months of issue.

By cheque

Where the total allowance is £60 or more, you may receive an advance payment of up to 50% of the allowance in order for you to buy materials.

The rest of the allowance will be paid to you when you have finished decorating. This must be within six months.

Visit the Homebase website

Disturbance allowance

When we carry out major works to your home, we try to arrange it so that you can stay in your home while they are being done. If, however you are disturbed by the work, either in your property, or a neighbouring one, we may be able to offer you temporary accommodation.

In the unlikely event that you have to leave your home for a while, we will charge you the same rent you would have paid if you had stayed at home.

Useful External Links

The following links are not part of the Homes for Haringey website. Please read our legal notice before using these links.

• www.homebase.co.uk