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Investing in homes - planned improvements

To keep our homes and the people who live in them safe, all our properties are inspected and checked on a regular basis. As our homes get older certain things may need replacing or updating.

  • How often
  • Your questions answered

Updated: 2 January 2024

Planned improvements, are scheduled each year.

In 2022/23, we spent £20.2m modernising and improving homes, communal areas and residential blocks, installing:

  • 665 new bathrooms
  • 1,117 new kitchens
  • 1,315 new boilers/central heating systems
  • 591 new doors
  • 281 new windows
  • 594 new roofs
  • 422 electrical rewires
  • 17,691 alarms, including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, heat detectors, and combined carbon monoxide/heat detectors.

Looking ahead to 2023/24, we have allocated £68 million to invest in our existing homes, covering major repairs, improvements, innovation, capital and renewal, and cyclical maintenance.

We also take on larger projects, like making buildings more energy-efficient, and improving or replacing communal facilities.

In addition to our continued investment in kitchens, bathrooms, heating, windows, doors, and roofs we also take on and deliver a rang of projects across our heartlands, like making buildings more efficient, improving or replacing communal facilities, external works to improve the appearance of homes, waste management improvements to reduce fly-tipping and increase recycling, and improvements to reduce the likelihood of anti-social behaviour.

How often can I expect home improvements?

Every year we look at the age and condition of our properties and put together a programme of major replacements or repairs.  These can include:

  • Kitchens and bathrooms
  • Boilers and heating systems
  • Windows, doors and roofs
  • External painting…and more.

Each of these items has a typical life cycle which is either the manufacturers suggestion, or a technical estimate based on how elements have lasted historically  - we assess how long each part of your home should last on average so we know how when it would be due for replacing or refurbishing.

The table gives you an idea of when we might replace the main elements of your home:

Item Life cycle
Bathrooms 30 years
Boilers 18 years
External painting 8 years
Kitchens 20 years
Radiators 36 years
Rainwater goods 30 years
Rewiring 30 years
Roof 75 years
Windows 30 years


If we’re planning improvements in your area, we’ll let you know well in advance and try to fit in with your work and family commitments.

We know major repairs can be a big upheaval but it’s worth it in the end.

If you don’t let us make essential property checks, we won’t carry out any planned repairs to your property. Work would be suspended until you let us complete our property condition surveys.


How planned improvement projects work

If we’re planning to improve your home in the next 12 months, we’ll contact you in advance and let you know our proposal and to answer any queries or concerns you have about the proposed work.

If you’re a leaseholder we have a legal requirement to consult with you about the extent of the work, the likely cost involved, the proposed contractors, we will discuss this all with you.

Your Tenant Liaison Officer will visit you beforehand to answer any questions, discuss any special needs you have and let you know when the work will be carried out. They’ll also contact you periodically during the works to make sure everything is going smoothly and answer any additional questions or concerns you might have.

You may not get the same work completed as your neighbours, as works vary from home to home according to age, condition and design changes.

If something in your home needs to be repaired, you can request a repair, find out how to report a repair here.

Find out more in the Planned improvements FAQs.

Planning for the future: Stock Condition Surveys 2023-2024

Torus has commissioned a contractor to carry out a range of surveys in all our properties including flat blocks. This contracted survey programme will continue into Spring 2024.  Torus surveyors will also visit properties as well.  The three types of survey are:

  • Stock Condition Survey (House)
  • Stock Condition Survey (Flat)
  • Stock Condition Survey (Flat block)

Surveys take place for a variety of reasons, most importantly to confirm your home is safe, comfortable and in good condition.  The survey also allows Torus to review information we hold on your home and make an investment plan for it’s future. Customers will be contacted directly by post to give more details about the survey, the contractor, what to expect and who to contact with any questions. 

Find out more about the surveys and what to expect here.


Frequently asked questions

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Planned Works FAQs

Your questions answered if you are getting home improvement works

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Kitchen Works FAQs

Everything you need to know if you are getting a new kitchen

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Central Heating/Boiler Works FAQs

Everything you need to know if you are having a new boiler fitted

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Window Works FAQs

Everything you need to know if you are having new windows fitted

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Door Works FAQs

Everything you need to know if you are having new doors fitted

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Bathroom Works FAQs

Everything you need to know if you are getting a new bathroom

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Roof Works FAQs

Everything you need to know if you are having new roof fitted