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Following our recent Stock Condition Surveys and other data reviews, we are updating and improving our long‑term Planned Works Programme for our council housing stock.
Planned works include major replacements such as roofs, kitchens, bathrooms, doors, windows and external redecoration. We predict when something needs replacing by looking at when it was installed and what condition it’s in. We take into account its expected lifespan and the point at which replacement becomes more cost‑effective than ongoing repairs.
Using all this information, we determine the most effective way to schedule and deliver the planned works.
The programme will be developed during 2026, with details published in advance of works starting in the 2027/2028 financial year.
Please note: We will continue to replace elements before then if they are found to be in urgent need of replacement or beyond economical repair.
We are committed to improving homes and maintaining our council properties to a standard that meets, and where possible exceeds, the requirements of the Government’s new Decent Homes Standard.
What to expect when you have a bathroom replacement
We will work with a contractor to carry out a survey of your bathroom and separate toilet, if you have one.
All new sanitaryware (toilet, bath, basin) will be white, with options available for wall tile and floor covering colours.
The contractor will provide a daily work schedule before starting. While the full programme typically takes 15 working days, some days may have no activity to allow for drying and other necessary breaks.
What to expect when you have a kitchen replacement
We will work with a contractor to carry out a survey of your kitchen and agree a layout with you.
The layout will include space for a cooker, washing machine and fridge freezer and we will try to accommodate your existing appliances.
You will also be given a choice of colours for the kitchen cabinet doors, worktop, wall tiling and floor covering.
The contractor will provide a daily work schedule before starting. While the full programme typically takes 15 working days, some days may have no activity to allow for drying and other necessary breaks.
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, protecting it from water damage and heat loss. We plan roof replacements based on the property’s original construction date and repair history, although homes in more exposed locations may need earlier renewal due to more frequent repairs.
When we replace a roof, we use tiles that match the original colour and profile, and renew the timber battens, underfelt, fascias, soffits, gutters and downpipes. As we will have access to your loft, we will also upgrade the insulation to current standards to improve energy efficiency.
What to expect when you have a roof replacement
You will be notified of the contractor who will be carrying out the works and they will then contact you to arrange a start date. Scaffolding will be needed to access the roof, and you will be informed when it will be erected and taken down. It is not uncommon for scaffolding to be put up one to two weeks before work begins.
All efforts will be made to keep your property protected from the weather during the course of the works. If your boiler flue runs through the roof space, there may be a short period when the boiler needs to be switched off.
All of the work is carried out from the outside so there should be no need to enter your property.
We understand the importance of having an efficient heating system, so we have a programme to replace older boilers with more modern, energy‑efficient models. We use the industry standard lifespan of 15 years as a guide, as boilers often become more costly to repair after this point.
However, a boiler being over 15 years old does not mean it is unsafe or expensive to run. We also use the recommendations from your annual Landlord Gas Safety Check (LGSR) to help determine when a boiler should be renewed.
What to expect when you have a boiler replacement
You will be contacted by our contractor to carry out a survey of your existing boiler.
If you have a combination boiler then the replacement will be quite quick and simple. If you have a boiler and a hot water cylinder, we will install a combination boiler and remove the cylinder, giving you additional storage space.
We want to improve the appearance of our properties, and to achieve this we have introduced a rolling programme of works. This includes re‑decorating painted surfaces, washing down PVC and other plastic areas, and replacing timber components with PVC to reduce future maintenance costs.
What to expect when you have external decorations
You will be contacted by our contractor to carry out a survey of the outside of your property to list the works required. You will then be given a date of when the works are likely to start.
All works will be carried out from the outside of the property and access will be required to the front, rear and side of you property. It is possible that scaffolding will be required and the contractor will discuss this with you before works start.
Beware of bogus callers
If someone visits your home telling you they are from Dover District Council or working on our behalf, but they don't show you an ID badge and you have not received a letter from us telling you about our visit, please get in touch with us to check before you let them in.
All our staff and repair contractors carry formal identification to confirm who they are and who they work for.
To check a visitor’s identity, call us on 01304 801110.
Choose option 2 for repairs, then select the option for kitchens and bathrooms to speak with a member of our planned repairs team.
