Success for our Enhanced Lettable Standards project

Several properties across an area of Grimsby have been improved through our innovative Enhanced Lettable Standards project.

Our project aims to give eligible customers the best start to their tenancy by providing packages to help them make their house a home. This can include decorating, carpeting, white goods and basic furniture.

To date, the project has seen work completed on seven properties in the East Marsh area of the town, with two of the properties already rented to customers.

Jen Coatsworth, Housing Services Manager, said: “This project helps us give those customers who meet the criteria a property that can give them the best possible start to their tenancy.

The work that’s done to the properties makes them a home from the point of sign-up, rather than customers having to spend money to make it their own home. It helps prevent a financial burden on those who perhaps can’t afford this investment.

“Doing this work on the properties can help prevent future deterioration, meaning less work is required when they become empty in the future.

“The project’s been running since October and has been operating in some very difficult circumstances, so I’d like to say a special thank you to our colleagues who’ve been working hard to keep the project moving during various stages of lockdown.”

The first phase of the project ended in March, with funding secured from our Community Investment Team for a second phase to begin in April.

Gill Brown, Housing Officer, said: “The project has been a real success and it’s wonderful to be able to offer properties to people that are in a better condition than they might’ve been without this intervention.

People walk in and think the properties are lovely. They’re neat, clean and give a better impression - the property then sells itself.”

As part of the project, we’ve partnered with East Marsh Construction (EMC), a local community interest company, to carry out much of the work that’s needed on the properties.

EMC operatives are employed full-time by the organisation, while gaining valuable experience working on projects as they work towards qualifications in building maintenance.

Christopher Goodwin, Repairs Surveyor, added: “Our relationship with East Marsh Construction is really good.

They’re doing other work for us now too, which means we can get jobs completed quicker.

“This project is a great one for us as a Group. It’s really nice to be able to offer something extra to people who appreciate it.”