Decoration allowances

What is decoration allowance?

This is an allowance that you as a new council tenant can claim from the council to help you decorate your council property.

Existing tenants may qualify for a decoration allowance under certain circumstances.

Who is eligible?

Decoration vouchers are issued to a tenant going into their home for one of the following reasons:

• A new tenant going into their new home
• following major repairs
• or programmed works.

How to apply for a decoration allowance

A voids (empty properties) surveyor will assess the need for decorating when the property is inspected at the void stage (when it is empty).

It is at this point that the amount of decoration allowance is determined based on the condition of the property.

The council decides how much the payment will be by calculating it on a room by room basis.

The decoration allowance is issued in a voucher form that tenants can exchange for goods in designated DIY stores. (Note, this only applies for goods classed as decoration materials).

The voucher must be used within 28 days of issue.

A vacant property officer will issue the vouchers at the point of sign - up and:

• Provide you a list for Brent Housing partnership decoration voucher scheme retailers
• issue a separate (pink form) for part of the cost to cover labour.

You will need to:

• Complete the work within twelve months of your tenancy start date
• tell your housing officer when you have completed the work.

We will then contact you to arrange an appointment, if the decorations are acceptable, we will send you a cheque for the second half of the decoration costs.

Download:

You can download the BHP decoration voucher scheme retailers in portable document format (pdf format)

• Decoration voucher scheme retailers  (.pdf, 18Kb)

Contact details

For more information on decoration allowances please contact your housing officer.

• Telephone number: 020 8937 2424 (except South Kilburn)
• Email info@bhphousing.co.uk

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