Our offices are closed for the Christmas period from 5pm on Christmas Eve and will reopen on Friday 2nd January 2026.
Should you have any repairs enquiries, including Health and Safety matters, please call our Repairs Team direct on 0808 169 1969 or 0300 304 5000, option 1.
Planned Maintenance
Planned Investment
Our stock condition surveys and improvement works
We carry out a range of improvements each year to our homes, buildings and estates, including replacing kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors and roofs.
Stock Condition Surveys
We carry out stock condition surveys on our buildings. These show us when we need to carry out improvement works, based on the age of the building or the building component (e.g. the roof, or communal doors and windows) and its condition.
We have a 10-year major works programme which is reviewed and updated every year with new information from the stock condition surveys. Nearer the time work is planned (about six to twelve months before), Estuary, along with our partnering contractors, carry out a validation survey to check the condition of the building or building components, to see if the work is needed. If everything is in a good state of repair, then we won’t carry out unnecessary work as part of that year’s programme.
If you do not believe your property has had a Stock Condition Survey within the last 5 years, please contact us on 0300 304 5000 to arrange one.
Cyclical Redecorations
We carry out redecoration of communal areas and the outside of our homes and buildings (we refer to these as 'cyclical' decorations). This work is coordinated with other planned investment works, so we can make sure we carry out everything in the most cost-effective way.
FAQS
What is a validation survey?
Because we programme work based on the age of buildings and building components and its condition, we carry out validation surveys to check that work is actually needed (for example, despite the age of a building component, it may be in good condition and not need replacing). Validation surveys are carried out between six and twelve months before work is planned.
Do I need to agree to work being carried out in my home?
If you don’t agree with getting the work done, we will ask you to complete a refusal form. This might mean work won’t be considered again until the next round of stock condition surveys, which is usually five years.
Will I get the same improvements as my neighbour?
Improvements are based on the condition as well as the age of whatever is being replaced, so you won’t necessarily be getting the same work done as your neighbours.
How will I know if work is planned in my home?
You will receive a letter from us advising you that your home has been identified from stock condition information held about your home, and that improvements may be due to your home. The letter will advise you who our partnering contractor is and advise you of the next steps in the process. Following this, our contractor will arrange for a convenient validation survey to be carried out at your home.
Will I be able to choose my new kitchen, bathroom, or doors and windows?
Yes, if it’s a kitchen or bathroom. There are some options available for doors and windows, but these will depend on whether you live in a flat or a house and local planning restrictions.
What if my home is not included in your planned investment programme but I think work needs doing?
If you have any concerns about the state of repair of your kitchen or bathroom, or any other major components, please report it to Axis Repairs Axis Repairs. They will assess if replacement or repairs are needed and provide information back to Estuary to consider whether the works should be picked up as part of this year’s planned works programme.
Does planned investment include building safety work?
No, we’ll let you know about building safety work separately.
Estuary's Planned Investment Programme 2025-26
| Planned Investment Workstreams | Partnering Contractor(s) | Anticipated Number of Properties in programme | Additional Information |
| External Redecorations (Cyclical) | Mitie Property Services | 460 | Works to Blocks and Houses/Bungalows |
| Kitchens | Absolute Building | 187 | |
| Bathrooms | Absolute Building | 117 | |
| Boilers | Axis Gas | 206 | |
| Windows (& Doors) | Asset Fineline | 253 | |
| Roofs | To be confirmed | 80 | |
| Electrical | Purdy Contracts | 451 | |
| Storage Heater Replacement | Purdy Contracts | 106 | |
| Communal Lighting Replacement | Purdy Contracts | 1 | Work to 1 estate |
| Planned-Other | To be confirmed | 5 | |
| Heating Switch Programme | Purdy Contracts | 100 | |
| Major Damp Works | To be confirmed | 5 | |
| Insulation | To be confirmed | 259 | |
| Woodgrange Drive Estate — Water Distribution System Upgrade | Axis | 2 | Work to 2 blocks |
| Door Entry System Replacement | SCCi | 3 | |
| Lift Replacement | Jackson lifts, Mountfield | 2 | |
| Workstreams — Anticipated number of properties | 2,237 |
Planned, Cyclical & Major Works
From time to time we will need to carry out major works to the building containing your flat or on the estate where you live. It is our responsibility to maintain the building and estate, and we do this through a planned works programme. As a leaseholder, you will be charged for major works. Your lease explains the full terms and conditions. For most of our developments we have a Replacement Provision (or Sinking Fund) in place to help pay for planned major works. If your development has a Replacement Provision, you will make contributions into this fund from your service charge.
- Planned Works are large scale building projects that could include structural repairs, roof replacement, installing or upgrading door entry systems.
- Cyclical Works are generally routine maintenance tasks such as painting the communal areas and external parts of the building, repairing entrance gates and paving.
Section 20 Consultations
We are required by law to consult you on major works if your share of the works is £250 or more. For long term contracts for goods or services which would cost each resident £100+ per annum, we will also carry out consultation.
When works are scheduled for your building, we will send the following notices:
- Notice of Intention - This letter will describe the works proposed and explain why they are needed. You will have 30 days to contact us with any observations.
- Notice of Estimates / Notice of Proposals (for long term contracts) - This letter will tell you the estimated cost of the proposed works, and provide a summary of the feedback received from the Notice of Intention letter. You will be given a further 30 days to respond with your observations to the estimates provided.
- Notice of Award will be sent to advise the successful contractor.
Once the works have been completed, we will write to you again to confirm the total costs and your contribution towards them.