Christmas and New Year closure information
Our council offices and phone lines will close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen at 9am on Monday 5 January 2026.
See our service arrangements for customers during this time.
Planned upgrades to council homes
Find out how your home is maintained, what upgrades you might receive and how it all works.
Keeping your home in good shape
We regularly check the condition of all council homes through a five-year rolling survey. These surveys help us:
- understand the overall condition of homes in each area
- measure energy efficiency
- plan and budget for future upgrades.
What kind of improvements might be made?
Based on the survey results, we may carry out upgrades such as:
- new kitchens and bathrooms
- central heating systems
- wall insulation and external cladding
- electrical rewiring
- water mains renewal
- structural repairs
- new windows and doors
- roof and guttering work.
What Is the Norwich Standard?
We’re investing in council homes over 30 years to meet the Norwich Standard, which means:
- kitchens are no older than 20 years
- bathrooms are no older than 30 years
- we also upgrade electrics, roofs and doors with energy-efficient options.
How we decide what work to do
Every home is surveyed every five years. We use this data to plan work and spend money wisely. Not every home will need upgrades and surveys don’t guarantee work will be done.
Decisions are made at the end of the year once all data is reviewed.
Why surveys matter
We need access to your home to carry out the survey. Without it, we can’t assess if improvements are needed.
What happens if your home is selected?
If your home is included in a work programme, we’ll contact you.
Work is usually done between April and March and scheduled by area. The contractor will get in touch to arrange a start date.
Can I refuse the work?
In most cases, yes.
But if the work is essential for safety or benefits the wider community, it may be required.
If you refuse work and later change your mind, it may not be rescheduled until the next year.
Will my rent go up?
No, improvement work won’t affect your current rent.
Do I stay in my home during the work?
Usually, yes.
If the work is extensive or affects your health or safety, we may offer temporary accommodation. You’ll always have access to cooking and washing facilities, even if temporary.
Need more information?
If you have questions or want to know when your home might be considered for upgrades, please get in touch by emailing housingrepairsandupgrades@norwich.gov.uk
